Kenny Cunningham believes the FAI must act quickly to sort out Robbie Keane's contract situation before it becomes 'ridiculous'
Ireland's record goal-scorer has two years left to run on his contract but does not appear to be part of new boss Stephen Kenny's plans.
Alan Kelly, Damien Duff and Keith Andrews are on Kenny's managerial ticket while Jim Crawford has taken the reins of the Under-21 side.
Keane, 39, was appointed assistant boss to Mick McCarthy on a four-year deal in 2018 despite McCarthy's contract only running two years.
FAI interim CEO Gary Owens has said that the association is in talks with Keane and his agent as they attempt to work out a solution, and has not ruled out a role for him within the FAI.
Keane's commitments at club level as Middlesbrough assistant manager add to the complexity of the situation.
"It has to be resolved and it will be resolved, we can't be paying that amount of money, whether it is Robbie or anyone else, and not have a position for him within the association and doing no work. That is a ridiculous situation," Cunningham on told the RTE Soccer podcast.
"They haven't come to an agreement, I would expect that to be sorted out very quickly. It is in nobody's interest for this particular situation to be dragging out.
"It's not not treating Robbie shabbily to say there is not a position for him. I think it is odd to give Robbie such a long contract when Mick was given a 12-18 month contract.
"Not that Robbie did not deserve a long contract, but it seems pretty obvious that if you're bringing someone into a supporting role with a manager, they have a contract the exact same length as that manager. If they did we would not be having this discussion.
"If there is no position for Robbie he will take a step back, and Robbie will have a conversation with the FAI and come to some kind of agreement."
Robbie's wife Claudine Keane has been vocal on Twitter in recent days calling for respect for her husband from the FAI.
Claudine retweeted a number of tweets supporting Robbie and told the FAI: "Respect is everything!! @FAIreland"
