MARTIN O'NEILL is expected to be confirmed as the new Republic of Ireland manager early this week – with Roy Keane as his assistant.
Former Celtic and Aston Villa manager O’Neill will cost the Football Association of Ireland at least £1m a year in wages, while Keane will command around £593,000.
O'Neill is also reportedly set to earn an €800,000 bonus if he takes the Republic to the Euro 2016 finals.
Although modest by Premier League standards, the salaries put O'Neill and Keane among the best-paid international coaches in Europe.
It is understood that Celtic supremo Dermot Desmond, a close personal friend of 61-year-old O'Neill, was a significant force in helping seal the deal.
And Irish businessman Denis O'Brien, who part-funded Giovanni Trapattoni's reign, is reported to have agreed to continue similar financial support for a further two years.
