By Andrew Atkinson Leader Sport EXCLUSIVE
ROY Keane has left Nottingham Forest – after just five months as assistant manager under Martin O’Neill at the Championship club – who play in Pinatar next month in 2019-20 pre-season games.
Twice-European Champions Nottingham Forest will arrive at the La Finca 5 Star resort, Algorfa, on June 28, where they will undergo training.
Nottingham Forest are at Pinatar Arena for their pre-season preparations, with scheduled friendly games against Dundee on July 2, and against Peterborough United on July 6.
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Keane, capped 67 times, is set to return to management, in the wake of unexpectedly quitting Forest.
Former Sunderland gaffer Keane, 47, departed the Black Cats in 2009, having gained promotion to the Premier League, after a reportedly fall-out with the board at The Stadium of Light.
Keane, appointed manager at Ipswich, following his Sunderland departure, was sacked in January 2011 by the Tractor Boys, with the club near the Championship relegation zone.
Keane, former assistant at Aston Villa under Paul Lambert in 2014, linked up with O’Neill, both at Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland (2013-18).
Keane quit the Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup squad under Mick McCarthy.
On departing Forest, Keane, at the club as a player, prior to signing for Manchester United in 1993, having made over 100 appearances for the club, said: “Working with Martin over the last few years has been a magnificent experience.
“One of my greatest in football – both as a player – and a coach. I thank him for that.”
Keane made 326 appearances for Manchester United during 1993-2005, joining Celtic in 2005, making 10 appearances for The Hoops, before departing in 2006.
Tickets for their 2 games in Spain are only available from the Pinatar Arena on the day of each game. They are priced at €10 for adults, €5 for five-16-year-olds and free of charge for Under 5s.
The two games form part of a nine-game pre-season programme which will be begin against Alfreton Town on June 29 before the two games in Spain.
