Former Manchester United stars have agreed that Roy Keane would make an ideal interim manager, despite ongoing discussions with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ruben Amorim’s disappointing 14-month tenure at Old Trafford came to an end on Monday morning when the club dismissed him.
Darren Fletcher has stepped into the temporary role, whilst Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are expected to hold further discussions with United this week as the club seeks to name an interim head coach. However, ex-United star Gary Pallister would be delighted to see Keane handed the position temporarily, believing his former colleague would ‘command respect’ from the squad whilst having no qualms about confronting underperforming players.
“Roy’s a big name and a legend – but so was Bryan Robson, and he never got the chance to manage United even though he was in the management game for a period of time,” he told Hard Rock Bet.
“Roy’s dipped in and out of management and made his name as an outspoken pundit now. He’s good value when you see him on the TV. He’d certainly command respect in the dressing room and shape it up, I have no doubt about that.
“But with what has gone on with Roy, I’m not sure. Maybe if it was seven or eight years ago, you would’ve thought of it as a possible chance, but he’s been out of management for a long time and has been very critical of United publicly.
“Would players respond to that? I don’t know. He’s a winner and he’d change the mindset of a lot of those players, but whether it is feasible I am not sure. Football is very different now. Would I like to see it? Yes, he is a character. If people aren’t performing, he will call them out.
“Football is very protected. Someone like Roy and his aggressive managerial style, I don’t know if it would upset a few players in that dressing room.”
Pallister’s remarks follow both Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt endorsing Keane as United’s next boss, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.
Butt declared: “[Thomas] Tuchel is my No. 1, my No. 2 maybe Michael Carrick, but my outsider… go and get Keaney. People might laugh and he might not want the job.
“But United have tried everything: superstar managers in Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, one of their own in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then they’ve got one of the best coaches in Europe in Ruben Amorim, with a few in between.
“Some have been shocking. Why not have a conversation with Keane? He would lead the dressing room, he might fall out with a few, he might knock a couple out, let’s be honest, but the fanbase would go whoom [together and upwards].
“It might never happen. It will take a real strong leader to employ him, but sit down and have a chat with him.
“Roy has changed unbelievably in the last ten years – he’s always been funny and great company, but he’s mellowed significantly, and he definitely knows his weaknesses and would bring people in to accommodate that.
“He will blow and cause problems, but he would inject something into the changing room that it’s not had for a long time.”
Scholes concurred with his former colleague, adding: “The reaction would be akin to Cristiano Ronaldo returning. It probably won’t happen, but people forget how good Roy was as a manager.
“He did an extraordinary job at Sunderland. The reason he has mellowed may be because he hasn’t had to deal with players.”