Roy Keane declared today he is unlikely to assist the FAI in finding a successor to Steve Staunton.

While the Sunderland manager features on bookmaker lists to become the next Irish boss he is not thought to be a genuine contender or, indeed, even interested in the role.

A relative novice to managerial ranks himself, he is focusing on club football for the foreseeable future.

It is also unlikely he will form any part of the selection committee which the FAI is appointing to uncover the next manager.

"After my relationship with the FAI, I think I'm the last person they'll be calling for advice," Keane, a former Republic of Ireland captain, said today.

Keane also believes the Irish players let Staunton down during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

He stopped short of sympathising with Staunton - who lost his job this week - but said he appreciated the difficult task his former international team-mate faced in the role.

"We all know what a tough job it is for any manager, particularly a young manager like Steve Staunton," he said.

"It was always going to be tough and unfortunately he lost his job like lots of other managers.   I wouldn't say I have sympathy, that's the wrong word to use, but I do appreciate what a tough job he had.

"Unfortunately it didn't work out.  But I do believe that a lot of it comes down to the players and a lot of the players, I feel, certainly let their manager down."