I believe that Keane would carry on the same traditions that have made United so successful. He already has the qualities that Ferguson has. He can see right through a player, I remember an interview with the Cork man where he said (as manager of Sunderland at the time) that he doesn't care what a player does all week, as long as he gives 100% on match day.
He can understand a lack of ability, but not the commitment. And he stated that any player not willing to give 100%, regardless of ability would be basically removed from the club.
If you are not proud to wear the shirt, then you won't. This was obvious after the Liam Miller incident where after turning up for training late a number of times, Miller was placed on the transfer list.
Ruthless? Yes, but totally understandable. Take out the weeds. Take out those who are not worthy.
That's why I believe Roy Keane is the perfect replacement. Once he gains some experience and learns more about the managerial world, then not many will be more suitable.
It would seem like fate if he was to take the helm, returning to once again lead us to glory just when days seems to darken and we reminisce of the days gone by with Fergie.
"If I was putting Roy Keane out there to represent Manchester United on a one against one, we'd win the Derby, the National, the boat race and anything else. It's an incredible thing he's got." - Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson knows how Keane works and Keane knows how Manchester United works. I hope it happens. I hope when he is appointed that we give our legendary midfielder the time he needs to take us to more success, the time that is so precious and rare in the managerial world these days.
I hope the ending to the book will someday be repeated by Keano, "Now I'm back with Manchester United. We have a lot to prove and I'm relishing the challenge and I'm hungrier than I've ever been."
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7 months ago
I agree, it would be a great fit. One dick bieng replaced by an even bigger one:)
from 7 months ago
ya ur a liverpool fan so obviously ur threatened. 'pool hasnt beat united (in the league) in rafa's reign & believe me, if roy keane comes, it'll be just as hard.
anyways, great article mate. Its funny cuz a few days ago i was telling a friend just that... that keano would be a great replacement to fergie. he's got the passion, the hunger to win, the character, and (for me at least) most importantly the attitude that he doesnt take crap from any player. I know he's young but i'm sure he'll learn lots & given that United arent a "manager-firing club", we'll give him time. he's a young version of fergie & i'd love to see him back @ United!!!!
7 months ago
c'mon keano, see what happens to sunderland this season first
7 months ago
go on keano, it's bound to be him after sparky committing the ultimate betrayal.
7 months ago
Nice article Keith, I was just writing about this on another blog so I will recap quickly. Sorry if I'm repeating myself to someone
But I agree completely, managers that succeed are cut from similar cloth. There is a ruthlessness about them and a quiet confidence. Fergie, Wenger, Cappello all are similar in their manner. I see O'Neil, Hughes and Keane all to have that. So its no mistake when you picked the same ones for your article. Its the same personality trait that makes me feel that other Man U products like Bruce, Coppell, Robson would not be successful. You want to go have a beer with Bruce and Robson and take financial advice from Coppell. If I want someone to lead me out to battle its Hughes and Keane.
It will be a tough time when Fergie leaves as our options are
a) a manager who has had the "prime time" experience
b) take an promising guy and give him a shot (Keane, Hughes, O'neil)
c) take someone from the support team (Queiroz)
Each one has its own issues, Man U fans probably want a UK guy which really makes it unlikely that you can hire someone with "prime time" experience. Real, AC, Barcelona, Inter all have foreign managers, Heck most the successful EPL managers outside of Ferguson are non UK. (I mean Grants from Isreal............................ sorry had to throw that out there for fun, completely unprovoked attack, it just happens sometimes).
You have Keane and Hughes both would be fan favorites and seem to have the mettle but there would be a learning curve and it would be naive to think otherwise.
Queiroz, seems like an easy choice but I do not have much faith in the support staff, it rarely works in any club, never mind one of the bigger clubs. All the successful managers I looked at there was a pattern of being a assistant, then taking over a small club, doing well, taking over a medium club doing well, taking over a big club. None of them were ever assistants after there first job. Fergie was never even an assistant except as a player. Wenger was similar. Walking in the footsteps of Brian Kidd is never a good thing if your talking about becoming the man.
Great article mate
PS - Gutted Hughes is at City
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