ROY KEANE has been backed to take over as Newcastle manager by Vinnie Jones.
Rafael Benitez will leave the Toon when his contract expires at the end of June.
A deal could not be struck with Mike Ashley to extend his deal beyond this summer.
Fans protested outside St. James’ Park today as a result and the club shockingly did not even speak to Benitez before announcing the departure.
So the search begins for Newcastle to replace the popular Spaniard – with Alan Pardew tipped for a return.
But Wimbledon legend Jones, 54, has thrown a potentially-controversial hat into the ring.
He would be keen to see Roy Keane take the job.
That is despite the Irishman taking charge of arch-rivals Sunderland for 100 games between August 2006 and December 2008.
As pointed out by Jones on Twitter, Keane, 47, left his role as assistant manager at Nottingham Forest yesterday and it is thought he wants to resume his own managerial career.
The footballer-turn-actor chipped in with his views after Newcastle tweeted the news of Benitez’s departure.
He said: “Coincidence Roy Keane leaves Notts Forest same time? Could do worse.”
Jones then joked that owner Ashley could make the potentially-controversial appointment to continue his questionable tenure in charge of the Magpies.
He added: “I wouldn’t put it past Mike Ashley to do it for the crack.”
After leaving Sunderland in 2008, Keane took over as Ipswich boss for almost two years, but struggled to make much of an impact at Portman Road.
Then in 2013 he turned to a backroom coaching role, firstly with Martin O’Neill at Ireland and then also with Aston Villa.
After the pair left their roles with the Irish national team last November, they joined Nottingham Forest together in January.
Three wins to finish the season secured a ninth-placed finish but Keane announced he was leaving in a short statement yesterday.
He 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 and one I want to personally thank him for.”
A club statement added: “Roy would like to express his gratitude to the club’s owner, board of directors, the staff, the players and in particular manager Martin O’Neill for the opportunity to return to The City Ground.
“The former Red would also like to place on record his appreciation to the supporters who have welcomed him back so warmly since his appointment in January.
“Everyone at the club would like to wish Roy the very best in the next stage of his career.”
