James Cox
Former Republic of Ireland captain and coach Roy Keane has said he is interested in becoming the national manager.
The FAI is currently assessing options to rebuild following Stephen Kenny's disastrous three-year spell.
Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, which he co-hosts with former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, ex-Arsenal star Ian Wright, and former Manchester City and England player Jill Scott.
Their guest on this week's episode was Frank Lampard, who was speaking about the challenges he faced during his time in charge of Everton and Chelsea.
When asked about a potential managerial return, Keane said: "I think so, but it has got to be the right challenge. The right club... the right contract... can you bring your staff? I discuss this all the time. Sometimes you get offered a contract. I look at it if I do get offered stuff... and you need to have a bit of self-worth. Is the deal right for you or whatever?
"I'd like to go back in, but I'm not desperate that I'll sign any contract for anybody."
Carragher then asked Keane straight out if he would be interested in being the next Ireland manager.
Keane replied: "Yeah, international football. That does appeal to me. I enjoyed it when I was a coach, I enjoyed the dynamics of it where you're not in every day and it's not about bringing players in, dealing with the board every week.
"I did enjoy the dynamics when I was coaching with Martin [O'Neill] with the Irish team. We had a little bit of success, when you've had a little bit of success and you look back it's brilliant. Obviously there's disappointment too.
"Yeah, that could be an option... yeah."
While it had a sour ending, Keane's spell as Ireland assistant manager Martin O'Neill was generall considered a success.
The pair led Ireland to Euro 2016 qualification, where they were knocked out 2-1 in the last-16 by hosts France after going ahead early on through a Robbie Brady penalty.
Brady also scored in a famous 1-0 victory over Italy in the group stages.
Keane, 52, has managed Sunderland and Ipswich Town, while he was also assistant to O'Neill at Nottignham Forest and Paul Lambert at Aston Villa.
England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley, one of Keane's former Ireland teammates, is the favourite for the Ireland job.
Chris Hughton, another contender, was sacked by Ghana on Tuesday after their group stage exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.
