Roy Keane linked with Iceland job

"ROY KEANE on his way to the country!" read the headline in Iceland's Visiryesterday, but while the paper claimed he would attend Iceland's Euro 2012 qualifying game against Cyprus in Reykjavik tonight, speculation that he is about to be appointed manager of the country's national side would appear to be a little premature.

"We cannot confirm or deny anything," an Icelandic FA spokesman told The Irish Times."All it is so far is news in various papers on websites, so I can't really confirm anything. We've also had Lars Lagerback (former manager of Sweden and Nigeria) and Stuart Baxter (former Finland manager) linked with the position. We're in no hurry because the current coach's contract runs until the end of the qualification campaign, which finishes with a game against Portugal on October 7th."

A number of other current or former managers, including Steve Coppell, have been linked with the post, as has former Icelandic international Runar Kristinsson, now managing KR Reykjavik, who wasn’t overly enthusiastic when asked about the Keane rumour yesterday.

“Personally, I don’t think he is the best option,” he said. “He has not shown much success as a coach, he is not the right man for the task.”

Keane, who turned 40 last month, has been out of work since being sacked by Ipswich last January, having managed Sunderland for two years before that.

Earlier this summer he appeared to rule out moving in to international management. “My heart goes out to international managers because it’s a very difficult job,” he said. “It’s probably more suited to a more experienced manager, someone like (Giovanni) Trapattoni.”