Martin O'Neill has recalled having to stop John Delaney from falling off his chair after telling the then-FAI CEO that he wanted Roy Keane as his assistant when in talks to become Ireland manager.
O'Neill managed the Boys in Green for five years between 2013 and 2018, with himself and Keane leading Ireland to Euro 2016 in France.
Keane and Delaney infamously disagreed on a number of things over the years, most notably around the Saipan incident which led to the Manchester United legend leaving the Ireland camp prior to the 2002 World Cup.
READ MORE: Roy Keane pokes fun at Gary Neville after being blanked by Cristiano Ronaldo
But O'Neill was convinced he wanted Keane as his assistant after having a number of conversations with the Cork man during their time working together as pundits.
Writing in his new book, On Days Like These: My Life in Football, as reported in The Times, O'Neill recalled: "I tell John I want to take Roy Keane as my assistant manager.
"At this utterance I race over to stop him from falling off his chair.
"John and Roy have famously had a few differences and his immediate facial expression suggests he might fear a déjà vu situation. In fact, once he regains his composure he jests with a broad grin: 'We'd better batten down the hatches then.'
"Roy and I have recently worked together as pundits covering Champions League games. We once talked about international management and wondered — if the opportunity ever arose — whether working together would be appealing.
"Roy is a very intelligent man, erudite and easy company. His passion and commitment I take for granted. But in our conversations, he also spoke very thoughtfully about the game with an acute tactical insight that captured my attention."
Keane blasted Delaney after the FAI appealed to FIFA to become the 33rd team in the World Cup following Thierry Henry's handball that led to their World Cup play-off defeat to France in 2009.
Speaking during a press conference as Ipswich manager, Keane said: "Ireland had chances at Croke Park and in Paris but didn't take them. France were there for the taking but Ireland never grabbed it–as usual.
"They were afraid of that next step and were mentally not strong enough.
"They can complain all they want. That is not going to change anything. France are going to the World Cup–get over it . They want sympathy as usual. It is the usual carry on and it is boring. Get over it.
"It is the usual FAI reaction -'we've been robbed,' 'the honesty of the game' but there was one of the group matches [Georgia] when Ireland got a penalty for a handball and no one had appealed for it.
"It was one of the worst decisions I have ever seen and it changed the game and the group. Robbie Keane scored the penalty and Ireland went on to win but I don't remember the FAI saying 'You know what? The referee made a howler, let's give them a replay.' It is the same principle.
"It [Henry's handball to set up William Gallas' decisive goal] was instinct for Henry. Would I call him a cheat? No I wouldn't think so. Did he bend the rule a little? Maybe. You see cheating going on all the time. Nobody wants a cheat. I wouldn't agree that Henry is a cheat. He is a top, top player who took advantage of the situation.
"I don't feel the game has been damaged one bit. Ireland had the chances. They never took the chance in the first game. They never performed. I heard an interview after the first game when the manager said none of the players got booked–maybe that was the problem, maybe the players should have got booked because they stood off France. In the second game we had opportunities and didn't take them."
Responding to Keane's comments at the time, Delaney told him to move on from Saipan, saying: "It's just a side-show.
"We've all moved on from Saipan-Niall Quinn, Mick McCarthy, the FAI and all the players- but it seems to me that he (Keane) hasn't.
"It's time for him now, in my opinion, to learn from the past-not live with it.
"I really thought the images shown around the world on Friday were very sad-it's sad to see a great former player reflected in the manner as he did.
"It's time to forget about Saipan and move on-because everyone else has."
READ NEXT:
Ireland v South Africa: Match result and recap from Autumn Series clash
Andy Farrell praises Ireland's character after taking South Africa scalp
Jimmy O'Brien admits he was "s****ing it" when coming on for Ireland
Ireland player ratings as van der Flier shines against world champions
Josh van der Flier plays down try scoring exploits as Ireland defeat South Africa
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
