Republic of Ireland coach Martin O'Neill has explained Roy Keane's resignation from Aston Villa.
The former Manchester United midfielder left as Paul Lambert's number two on Friday, just 24 hours before their Barclays Premier League game at Burnley.
Keane is also O'Neill's assistant with Ireland and the coach said: "He didn't have any holiday - he went straight from international duty with us in America to the job at Aston Villa and eventually those things catch up with you, one side of Christmas or the other.
"Roy being the perfectionist he is wanted to give everything to every single cause, but I think maybe a bit of family time now is perhaps something which is missing.
"We had a big discussion about the issue at the last international get-together. He was more concerned about having that full commitment to Villa and to ourselves.
"I said in the past and it's worth reiterating - I never had a problem with his commitment to the Republic of Ireland. Everything I was hoping he would bring to the table - commitment, enthusiasm, the strong desire we know he possesses - haven't been a problem.
"I am delighted the Republic of Ireland have been his first choice."
