Roy Keane Quits ITV Role During 2014 World Cup Coverage to Focus on Coaching

Roy Keane has dealt ITV's coverage of the 2014 World Cup a blow by deciding not to travel to the World Cup as a pundit during the Brazil tournament.

The 43-year-old is the assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland at present, and he has also been linked with the Celtic job and the role of Aston Villa assistant manager in recent days.

Former Manchester United and Ireland midfielder Keane has been a fixture of ITV's football broadcasts in recent times, and his forthright opinions have been a talking point. 

ITV, in a statement reported by the Guardian, wished him well:

"

Roy has been a tremendous part of our pundit team in recent years, but we fully understand his decision to concentrate wholly on his coaching. We wish him every success for the future.

"

Keane famously missed the 2002 World Cup as a player after a public falling-out with then-manager of Ireland Mick McCarthy.

His absence will also be felt this time around, with ITV shorn of a star name for their coverage. The BBC and ITV share the rights to the tournament, and both will broadcast the final live.

[Guardian]