O'Neill, Keane out of Ireland setup

DUBLIN (AP):

Martin O'Neill ended his five-year stint as Ireland coach yesterday after relegation in the UEFA Nations League, taking assistant Roy Keane with him.

Under O'Neill, Ireland advanced from the group stage at the 2016 European Championship for the first time, but fell short of qualifying the 2018 World Cup after a 5-1 aggregate playoff loss to Denmark.

O'Neill's 55-game reign ended with relegation from the second tier of the Nations League after earning only two points from a group also containing Denmark and Wales.

Ireland have won only one of their last 11 games since November 2017, with five losses in that time, and have failed to score in any of their last four games.

The Football Association of Ireland said O'Neill's departure was by mutual consent, adding that its board "will meet promptly to discuss the process of recruiting a new manager."

"It is with a heavy heart that I leave this role," said O'Neill, who highlighted a home win over Germany in 2015 and victory over Italy in the group stage of the 2016 European Championship as his team's best moments.

O'Neill added that this year's poor results were part of building a team for the future.