MX23RW : Monday, December 16 00:13:22| >> :600:131093:131093:
World Cup header WWW

World Cup

Roy Keane pulls out of ITV's World Cup coverage to focus on coaching

By , Staff Reporter
Roy Keane reportedly backs out of his World Cup punditry role with ITV in order to focus on his coaching career.

Roy Keane has decided against travelling to Brazil as a pundit for ITV's coverage of the World Cup, which gets underway next week.

The former Manchester United captain, who is currently assistant boss to Martin O'Neill with the Republic of Ireland, has reportedly stated that he wants to solely focus on his coaching career.

The 42-year-old was originally named in the punditry lineup alongside numerous ex-players, including Fabio Cannavaro, and Sunderland manager Gus Poyet.

"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," The Guardian quotes an ITV spokesperson said. "We wish him every success for the future."

Keane, who recently rejected talks to become Celtic's new manager, is reportedly on the verge of being appointed Paul Lambert's assistant boss at Aston Villa.

ID:158165: cacheID:158165:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1906:
Written by
Danielle Joynson 
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Republic of Ireland's assistant manager Roy Keane walks on the touchline before kick off of the international friendly football match between Republic of Ireland and Latvia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on November 15, 2013
Read Next:
Report: Keane to join Villa
>
Read more about Roy Keane Gus Poyet Fabio Cannavaro Martin O'Neill Paul Lambert Off The Pitch