Roy Keane Pulls Out Of ITV's World Cup Coverage

Keane Pulls Out Of Another World Cup

Roy Keane has pulled out of ITV's World Cup coverage in Brazil to concentrate on his coaching career.

The Republic of Ireland assistant manager rejected the chance to manage Celtic on Monday and Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is reportedly keen to add him to his backroom staff.

Keane abandoned the Ireland squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup following a blistering falling out with coach Mick McCarthy, however his departure from the ITV team was not as acrimonious.

Keane has been a pundit on ITV since he was sacked by Ipswich in 2011

An ITV spokesperson said: "Roy has been a tremendous part of our pundit team in recent years, but we fully understand his decision to concentrate wholly on his coaching.

"We wish him every success for the future."

One of British football's most outspoken and revered pundits, Keane's cynical style and abhorrence of the modern game have made for absorbing viewing on ITV.

The former Manchester United midfielder said in 2008 he would "rather go to the dentist" than work as a pundit.

"You're sitting there with people like [former Sky Sports anchor] Richard Keys and they're trying to sell something that's not there.

"Anytime I watch a game on television, I have to turn the commentators off. They say 'he's playing well' and I'm thinking 'no, he's not'. My advice to anyone is don't listen to the experts, just watch the game and gather your own opinions."

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