Martin O'Neill warns Roy Keane he cannot combine club management with Ireland role

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has warned assistant coach Roy Keane he would not be able to return to club management and remain in his coaching role for the national team.

Keane joined the Republic of Ireland coaching team in 2013, briefly combining the job as assistant manager of Aston Villa in 2014, before quitting to concentrate on his Irish role.

Ever since Ireland were knocked out of Euro 2016, speculation has been rife about the Keane's future, amid reports the former Manchester United star was looking to return to the Premier League.

Speaking in the Sunday Times, O'Neill quashed any hopes Keane might have had about job sharing.

"If you're going in to manage at club level, that's your job. You couldn't do the two," O'Neill said.

"Roy can answer for himself but I think he would feel that way too. With his experience of Villa in mind, if an assistant manager's job position occurred again, he would maybe have second thoughts about it."

Reports in both the British and Irish press have linked the Republic of Ireland assistant coach with Steve Bruce's vacant position at Hull.

Sky sources revealed that the interview process is currently underway for the top job with the Tigers and the club hope to make an appointment by the end of this week.

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Keane's previous management roles at Sunderland and Ipswich both ended in acrimony and O'Neill took a risk by giving him a job, which seems to have paid off given the recent speculation.

The former Norther Ireland player said he hoped that Keane would choose his national side over any club management role.

O'Neill added: "In one aspect, I'm quite pleased that Roy's name is being mentioned again. It feels like he's really contributing. I would really be disappointed if he left but I don't want to hold anybody."