Former Ireland defender Kenny Cunningham has backed Manchester United legend Roy Keane for the Ireland job, should the position be made available.

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny is under pressure ahead of the next round of international games, and has been tipped to be sacked due to poor form.

Back-to-back defeats have hit Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s Euro 2024 finals. Ireland have played 26 competitive matches under Kenny and have won just five.

Former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane has been backed as one possible option to replace Stephen Kenny if he is eventually sacked.

Cunningham who played under Keane during their time at Sunderland believes he has what it takes to succeed in the role.

He told Off the Ball: “I think Roy is an option. I’ve seen Roy – not kinda change a little bit – but in terms of media persona…I don’t watch Sky…I don’t see a huge amount of Roy, but I’ve seen enough in terms of how he’s presenting himself, how he’s interacting with other people and people love it.

“We seen a bit of that when he was a player. He opens himself up and he’s great. He’s smart, he’s funny, he can carry a room with him, people gravitate towards him, the dressing room, players, teammates, so he has that for me and maybe he’s opened himself up to that a little bit more in the last five years.

“We all change, we all grow old, perspective changes, family, grandkids, the whole thing, so maybe there’s an argument to be made that now as a manager with the right staff around him.”

He added: “I think there’s an argument for Roy Keane stepping in.”