Sunderland boss Roy Keane is backing Terry Venables for the Republic of Ireland job.
"I have been told he has got a very good chance and why not?" said Keane. "He has a lot of experience and if Terry Venables can help improve Irish football then why not?"
Keane, who as a player once blasted former boss Mick McCarthy for not being Irish, doesn't care about Venables' roots.
"Does it matter that he is not Irish? Look, we went down this road last time with the last manager Steve Staunton and before him Brian Kerr. Those appointments did not quite work out.
"If Terry Venables gets it, then why not? He has the kind of vast experience you cannot buy. I have had feedback from one or two of the players and they fancy him."
