CLAIMS that former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had emerged as surprise frontrunner for the vacant Melbourne Victory coaching job were scotched last night by Keane's agent.

Internet and radio have been inundated in the past 48 hours with rumours Keane was in negotiations with the Victory, which sacked foundation coach Ernie Merrick last month.

Roy Keane's agent has denied links to Melbourne Victory. Credit:Getty Images

Those rumours were fanned by Keane's presence at Sydney FC's Asian Champions' League match on Wednesday and arrival in Melbourne yesterday. But Keane's manager Michael Kennedy said last night reports were ''simply misinformed.''

Loading

''Roy is on holiday over there and that is all there is to it,'' Kennedy said.''

He said his client had ''absolutely no intention'' of working in Australia or linking with the Victory in any way. Keane was sacked from his previous job managing Ipswich Town in January and is yet to win another job.