Roy Keane resigns as Martin O'Neill's assistant at Nottingham Forest

Roy Keane’s time with Nottingham Forest has finished after he informed manager Martin O’Neill he wants to leave to resurrect his own managerial career.

The former Sunderland manager has been out of work as a head coach since being sacked by Ipswich Town in January 2011.

Keane spent five years as Republic of Ireland assistant manager to Martin O’Neill before the pair returned to former club Nottingham Forest in January of this year.

In his time with Ireland, he and O’Neill managed to qualify for the European Championships in France in 2016, reaching the last 16 before bowing out to the eventual finalists France.

"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,” said Keane.

A statement released by the club said: “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.”

Cork native Keane had previously won promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland as champions in his first season in charge, in 2006-07.

He kept the club in the top flight in his first season but resigned in December 2008 following a run of poor form, and took over at Ipswich the following April.

His time with the Tractor Boys proved to be an unhappy one, however, and he was dismissed in January 2011 and spent three years out of management before being appointed O’Neill’a assistant.

Keane spent five months as assistant to Paul Lambert at Aston Villa in 2014 before resigning in order to focus on his role with the national team.