Manchester United legend Roy Keane didn’t hold back this week as the club entered yet another managerial reset.
After the shock departure of Ruben Amorim, who was sacked following a turbulent 14-month stint in charge, Keane argued that United’s problems run deeper than a single coach.
Amorim’s exit came after a strained relationship with the English Premier League club’s hierarchy and poor results on the pitch, leaving United searching for stability once again.
Keane made it clear he believes United’s problems run deeper than a single coach.
With multiple managers dismissed since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, he criticised the club’s decision-making at the top.
“You see who’s making the decisions at Manchester United…you still have [Alex] Ferguson and David Gill [former chief executive] hanging on like a bad smell,” he said on Sky Sports.
“Who’s making the decisions? [Sir Jim] Ratcliffe, [Jason] Wilcox? Who’s coming into this interview process, you’re speaking to a manager, you get a feel for somebody and go ‘he’s the guy for us?’”
Image: Paul Hudson, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Roy Keane singles out Eddie Howe
Keane highlighted Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe as his pick to succeed Amorim permanently.
“I’d go with Eddie Howe. I like him. I like what he’s done. He’s managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they’ll play good football,” Keane said.
Though interim options like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Michael Carrick are reportedly being lined up until the summer, Keane stressed that Manchester United must aim higher when it comes to their next permanent boss.
“They need to get a top manager in to get a grip of the dressing room,” he said, dismissing the idea that caretaker appointments will solve long-standing issues.
He contrasted that with Howe’s steady approach, something he feels United have lacked.
“We’ve seen with our previous [appointments], we like people with emotions, but he’s got that calmness. The job he’s done at Newcastle, Champions League and winning a cup, I’d be happy to see him go in there,” Keane added.
Keane also spoke on the quality of recent performances, citing United’s draw with Burnley as an example.
“The standard of the game was a joke. Everyone after the game was like, ‘It wasn’t bad, we did well’, nonsense. Absolute rubbish. We’re going around in circles. Any ex-United player has got a chance.”
The former captain’s words underline the scale of the challenge waiting for whoever takes the Old Trafford hot seat next.
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