Roy Keane has voiced his concerns over the managerial role at Manchester United, suggesting the lack of authority possessed by the boss would put him off the job. Erik ten Hag is once more facing an uncertain future at the club, with discussions about the managerial job reignited as United sit 14th in the Premier League.
Speculation is rampant following a crisis meeting attended by co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer in London on Tuesday. And though Ten Hag seems set to continue for the time being, it may not be long before United find themselves under interim care again.
Keane - who has been frequently linked with the United job over the years - expressed his reservations on The Overlap' Stick to Football podcast (via The Mirror). Responding to Ian Wright's suggestion he might take up the role, Keane said: "They're not gonna be asking me. They just wouldn't... they just wouldn't."
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The former Sunderland boss initially declined to comment further but went on to clarify his position and precisely what worries him. He questioned manager Ten Hag's control in particular, saying: "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?"
Arsenal legend Wright again asked the former Ipswich boss if he'd consider a temporary stint at Old Trafford, given United have previously turned to his former team-mates in the form of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick. But Keane affectionately patted his colleague on the leg as he quipped: "I'm not leaving you, Wrighty."
Despite a rocky exit from his 12-year spell at United, Keane still gained valuable insights into Sir Alex Ferguson's influence. Ferguson, 82, had immense control over United's operations, something that's far less common today. While some managers maintain a broad sphere of influence within their clubs, this tends to be the case more so for the ones with a deep well of top-tier experience.
Ten Hag's move to England marked a significant career shift after clinching three Eredivisie crowns with Ajax, and he perhaps lacks the presence to enforce the same system Ferguson once did.
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At 53, Keane has not emulated his playing success as a manager, but his legendary status at United and formidable character commands respect nonetheless. Still, it's been 13 years since he held a senior management position, meaning Keane is far from the ideal choice for United's hoped-for resurgence.
Former PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined as Ten Hag's assistant in the summer, could be a temporary solution for the club. Alternatively, Thomas Tuchel is currently without a job and has admirers at Old Trafford after speaking with Ratcliffe over the summer.
