The worst kept secret in Irish football has finally come to pass this morning as Martin O'Neill has been confirmed by the FAI as the Republic of Ireland manager, with Roy Keane as his assistant.

Speculation has been rampant since Friday evening that O'Neill and Keane had all but agreed to a deal and this morning's news from the FAI HQ in Abbotstown has confirmed those rumours. The FAI were reportedly keen to solidify a deal in advance of the duos television commitments on ITV this evening where they will provide analysis of the Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad game.

Former Celtic, Aston Villa and Leicester boss O'Neill was the early favourite for the position since Giovanni Trapattoni's removal from the position in September but as time went on it was thought that he may be holding out for a job with a Premier League club. Indeed, just over a week ago O'Neill interviewed for the vacant managerial position at Crystal Palace but is thought to have considered the job too low profile for him.

61-year-old O'Neill has accepted terms of an initial two year deal with another two years understood to be linked to Euro 2016 qualification. The Northern Irishman will be paid in the region of €1.2 million per year, with Keane expected to earn around €500,000. O'Neill's coaching team will consist of Steve Walford, former Irish goalkeeper Seamus McDonagh and set-piece expert Steve Guppy. Mike McGurn, former strength and conditioning coach of the Irish rugby team, will also come on board.

Keane was also among the bookies favourites for the Irish job but his limited managerial experience, as well as his storied history with the FAI, are thought to have been prohibitive to his chances. His appointment as assistant manager - at O'Neill's insistence - will certainly test the relationship between Keane and FAI CEO John Delaney but it's thought that the chain of command will see O'Neill report to Abbotstown, while Keane will report to O'Neill solely.

Speaking on Pat Kenny's Newstalk show, Delaney said that terms have yet to be signed but he doesn't expect any impediment to obstruct the deal.

O'Neill and Keane's first game in charge of the Irish national team will be against Latvia at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 15th November and their participation should guarantee a sell-out for only the second time for a football game since the stadium's redevelopment.

A press conference officially announcing O'Neill and Keane will take place in Dublin on Saturday.