Aston Villa’s season has been plunged into deep uncertainty after Roy Keane quit as Paul Lambert’s assistant.
Keane left the club with immediate effect on Friday just five months after taking up the role as Lambert’s right-hand man, citing an inability to perform his duties alongside those of being Martin O’Neill’s No 2 with Republic of Ireland.
The timing of Keane’s departure has raised questions and sparked shock among the Villa squad. It came on the eve of a crucial Premier League match at Burnley and just hours after he took training at Bodymoor Heath. Ireland do not have another match until March.
But it is understood Keane had become increasingly with drawn at Villa in recent weeks and continued for as long as he felt able.
There were rumours about him clashing with players over training intensity and he has notably been more withdrawn during games.
O’Neill admitted last night that he had spoken with Keane about Villa at their recent internatonal get-together, and that a desire for more time with his wife and children also played a part.
‘Roy being the perfectionist that he is, he wanted to give everything to every single cause. But I think family time, at the minute, that’s something that was missing,’ said the former Villa manager.
Keane’s departure at this stage in the season places huge strain on Lambert, however. Villa have lost six of their last eight Premier League games and only scored six times all season – leaving them two points above the relegation zone.
Steve Clarke has become the potential successor to keane, but the Villa manager had further words to worry supporters over Fabian Delph.
Lambert revealed the England midfielder might be sold when the winter window opens as he shows little inclination to sign a new contract
Delph is a free agent in the summer but is attracting interest from Liverpool and Tottenham and the club might decide to cash in before he is able to leave for nothing.
Lambert said. ‘You are never sure what can happen. With the Bosman ruling the player holds the cards. I know that because I’ve done it myself.’
With Ron Vlaar likely to move on in January, Villa fans hope Keane is the only other figure to leave. His sudden departure, which echoes that of the 2002 World Cup with Ireland, is a ‘sorry loss’, according to Darren Bent.
The striker has signed on loan for Brighton and said: ‘What people most respected about him was that he would tell you how it was. I can’t speak highly enough of him.’
In a statement, Keane said: ‘Ultimately, my roles with Villa and Ireland and combining my commitment to these have become too much. It isn’t fair to either Villa or Ireland, so I’ve made this decision.’
However, Villa and Ireland legend Paul McGrath told Ireland’s RTE Radio 1: ‘I was shocked when I heard that news because Villa are in a tough spot at the moment.
‘It’s not a good time for Roy to be leaving.’
Lambert added: ‘Roy informed me that, ultimately, the difficulty of combining both roles has prompted his decision, which I respect totally.’