"Yeah, that could be an option," Roy Keane told with a smile Jamie Carragher after being asked if he'd be interested in becoming the next Ireland manager.
The position has been vacant since Stephen Kenny departed in November. It is expected that the FAI will have a replacement in place by next month.
Keane spent five years as Ireland assistant manager under Martin O'Neill. His last managerial role which was not as an assistant was with Ipswich Town, a reign which ended in 2011.
15 November 2018; Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane, left, prior to the International Friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
"International football, I enjoyed it when I was a coach there," Keane told the Stick to Football podcast.
"I like the dynamics of it where you’re not in every day and it’s not about bringing players in and I suppose dealing with the board every week, whatever it might be, and the academy.
"That does appeal. I did enjoy the dynamics when I was coaching with Martin with the Irish team. We had a little bit of success.
"You look back when you've had a little bit of success, and then it's brilliant. Obviously, there's disappointments."
Lee Carsley, Chris Hughton, Anthony Barry and Neil Lennon are other contenders for the job. Asked about managing Ireland during an interview on The GAA Social podcast, Lennon was circumspect when discussing the role. "If I get it, I'll talk about it then," he said.
Keane added regarding club management, "It’s got to be the right challenge, the right club, and the right contract, can you bring your staff."
"I discuss this all the time," he continued.
"I have had opportunities, but sometimes you get offered a contract.
"I look at it, if I do get offered stuff, a bit of self-worth, is it the right deal for you?
"I’d like to go back [into management], but I’m not desperate to sign any contract for anybody."
