Sign up NOW for our daily Villa newsletter direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Roy Keane has sensationally emerged as a strong contender to become Paul Lambert’s new assistant manager at Aston Villa.

The former Manchester United and Ireland legend turned down the chance to become Celtic boss on Monday, but is in the frame to be Lambert’s No.2, according to sources in Ireland.

Keane is currently Martin O’Neill’s assistant with Ireland and a pundit with ITV, so a role at Villa would mean the 42-year-old combining three jobs.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Lambert’s own job, with owner Randy Lerner keen to sell Villa, the manager has been looking for a new coach.

It follows the sackings of assistant manager Ian Culverhouse and football operations manager Gary Karsa for unspecified disciplinary issues last month.

Keane, who has managerial experience with Sunderland and Ipswich, has been working with the Ireland national team since November.

The Football Association of Ireland confirmed Keane is due to fly out to the United States on Wednesday for Ireland’s friendlies against Costa Rica and Portugal.