Roy Keane pressed Over interim Man United Job but has fear about manager’s position
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is fighting to keep his job at Old Trafford, and Roy Keane has responded to the suggestion he could take the reins at his old club
Roy Keane on ITV
One thing in particular puts Roy Keane off taking the coaching reins at Man United
As Erik ten Hag faces ongoing pressure as Manchester United boss, Roy Keane has highlighted a key issue that would prevent him taking over.
The managerial position at Old Trafford is once again under scrutiny, with United currently sitting 14th in the Premier League heading into the international break. As a result, Ten Hag’s future once again seems uncertain after co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer attended a seven-hour crisis meeting in London on Tuesday.
It’s been 12 years since seven-time Premier League champion Keane last managed a club, and yet he continues to be associated with the top job at United. However, the Irishman has indicated the apparent lack of authority held by the current manager at United could be a deterrent.
“They’re not gonna be asking me,” he responded when Ian Wright suggested the idea on the latest episode of The Overlap (via The Mirror). “They just wouldn’t. . .they just wouldn’t.”
Keane initially declined to comment further but then added: “I’m not saying he’s not a good manager or he hasn’t got good coaching staff, but in the summer they changed all the coaching staff! So you’re on about a manager having a bit of power and control of the football club I’ll bet you Ten Hag’s got none of that!
“So players will look at the manager and go, ‘well, all your staff went in the summer. I didn’t see you fighting for any of them. You’re bringing more staff in.’ I just think it looks chaotic, doesn’t it?”
Roy Keane reacts to Ian Wright
Keane assured Ian Wright he’s not leaving The Overlap anytime soon
Arsenal icon Wright continued to press the ex-Sunderland and Ipswich boss on whether he’d consider a temporary managerial stint at Old Trafford, like former team-mates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick have done in the past. But Keane was firm as he gave Wright a reassuring pat on the thigh and said: “I’m not leaving you, Wrighty.”
Despite a rocky departure from his 12-year spell at Old Trafford with Ferguson, Keane gained invaluable insights into the essence of effective management under the Scot. At 82, Ferguson’s legacy remains as a manager who wielded considerable control over all aspects of United’s operations, a contrast to the more distributed responsibilities seen in modern football clubs.
While some managers today still maintain a holistic influence within their clubs, this is typically seen among those with extensive top-tier experience. Ten Hag secured three Eredivisie trophies with Ajax but has faced a significant challenge transitioning to the English game.
Keane’s playing success hasn’t been mirrored in his coaching endeavours to date, yet his standing at United and his inherently intense demeanour still command a certain level of respect. Nonetheless, after a 13-year hiatus from senior management, it’s questionable if Keane is the right fit for United’s revival hopes.
Former PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined as an assistant under Ten Hag during the summer, could be a temporary solution for the club. Free agent Thomas Tuchel also has fans within Old Trafford and was considered by Ratcliffe in the summer before United extended Ten Hag’s contract.
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