Roy Keane Feels for Carrick but Does Not Miss the Managerial Rollercoaster

• Roy Keane told the Stick to Football podcast that he feels for Michael Carrick, per the Mirror.
• Keane has been mentioned as a candidate for the Manchester United job but has little desire to return to management.
• United have won one of their first nine Premier League games and sit 17th.

The Man Who Has Lived It Says He Wants No Part of It

Roy Keane has spent much of his post-playing career making his feelings about Manchester United known. Now, with Michael Carrick’s job in doubt and Keane’s name mentioned as a possible successor, the club’s former captain has given a strong indication that he has little desire to go back into management.

On the Stick to Football podcast, host Gary Neville pointed out that Keane has been through what Carrick is going through right now. Keane replied: “I feel for them.”

Keane Thinks He Could Have Been Good but Says There Is No Going Back

Keane did not play down his own ability. He said part of him still wonders about the road he left.

“These last few years [of prioritising TV punditry over coaching] … there’s no going back now,” Keane added. “There’s definitely part of me over the last few years that thinks I should still be a manager somewhere. I still feel I could have been a really good manager.”

Then he explained what he does not miss.

“When you’re in that managerial role, you’re thinking two or three bad results and you could be out the door… that’s a tough rollercoaster. I don’t miss being on that rollercoaster, I just have this feeling that I could have been a really good manager.”

Keane first moved into management in 2006, shortly after his playing career ended, when Sunderland appointed him. He took them out of the Championship and into the Premier League in his first campaign, then kept them up in the next. His time on Wearside ended in his third campaign with Sunderland struggling near the foot of the table. He then took over at Ipswich Town and lasted under two years without delivering the promotion the club wanted.

After that he moved into coaching, serving as assistant with the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest alongside Martin O’Neill. He also built a television career, first on ITV and then as a pundit on Sky.

Djibril Cisse Backs Keane for the Job

Keane is not short of admirers. Former Premier League striker Djibril Cisse, who worked under him at Sunderland, told Mr Gamble that Keane would be an exciting appointment at Old Trafford.

“It would be another club legend coming back. If it were him [David Beckham buying out Sir Jim Ratcliffe] and Roy Keane, that would be amazing.”

“Keane has the weight of experience and history. He is a strong personality and he’s an icon of the club. He wore the armband for so many years during United’s glory days, so bringing him back would be a really good thing.”

“I really enjoyed working with him because he didn’t judge me on what he’d heard or what people might say about my character. He trusted me, it worked very well, and I was very disappointed when he left. He’s a coach I loved working with and whom I respect enormously.”

Carrick Needs Results, and Fast

Carrick’s position is under strain. Neville said last month that the players downed tools on him. United have won once in their opening nine league games and are 17th. A 3-2 comeback against Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday ended a nine-game winless run, but it left the questions about Carrick in place.

Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Unai Emery have all been touted as possible replacements. Cisse is in favour of Keane. Keane says there is no going back.

Sunday’s game against Aston Villa is United’s last before the international break. The club’s hierarchy are expected to review Carrick’s position in that gap. Carrick has faced pressure earlier this season too, when he kept his cool in the face of criticism. Keane knows how quickly two or three bad results can change a manager’s week, and he says he does not miss it.