Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane revealed that he tried to sign a former Manchester United and Villarreal player during his time as Sunderland manager.
Roy Keane took his first steps into management after his legendary playing career ended in 2006, with the Manchester United legend taking charge of Sunderland.
The 53-year-old Irishman enjoyed success with Sunderland and led them to Premier League promotion after he captured the Championship title in the 2006-07 season.
However, Keane’s spell with the Black Cats ended in 2008 after 27 months in charge, with the former United star resigning as head coach at the Stadium of Light.
Following his run with Sunderland, the Irish hardman returned to management with Ipswich Town in 2009 and Keane endured an ill-fated spell with the club.
Keane would be axed from Ipswich Town in 2011 and the former Nottingham Forest and Celtic midfielder has not returned to the dugout as a manager since then.
However, the United legend would serve as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest after his spell at Ipswich.
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Pundit Roy Keane during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024 i...
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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Keane talks failed Sunderland transfer
Speaking on The Overlap on Tour, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright crossed paths with Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini in Turin.
During their sitdown chat, Gary Neville asked: “I’m trying to think of an Italian player who played for United, is it Giuseppe Rossi?
Giorgio Chiellini added: “Yeah, yeah. I talked with him a few days ago because he was filming a documentary for his career. He’s a nice guy.”
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Giuseppe Rossi to Old Trafford in 2004 and the Italian former forward netted four times in 14 first-team appearances for the Red Devils.
Giuseppe Rossi was loaned out to Newcastle and Parma during his time at United, but the 37-year-old failed to establish himself as a regular under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ian Wright called the former United forward a “beautiful little player” before Keane revealed that he spoke with Rossi about signing for Sunderland.
Speaking of Rossi, Gary Neville said: “Good player, eh?”
Wright added: “He’s a beautiful little player.”
Reacting to the Rossi talk, Keane admitted: “I tried to bring him to Sunderland. I did, I spoke to him.”
READ MORE: Man Utd legend Roy Keane almost pulled off transfer of century when he was manager, even Gary Neville was surprised
Why Rossi didn’t sign for Keane’s Sunderland
Giuseppe Rossi left Old Trafford in 2007 and completed a move to Spanish side Villarreal, with the former United player enjoying a better run at the club.
The former Italy international netted 82 times for Villarreal in 192 appearances before Rossi left the La Liga club and signed for Fiorentina in 2013.
Keane revealed that Rossi had the choice to sign between Sunderland and Villarreal and the former United player went for the latter and did “really well.”
“You [Keane] tried to bring a lot of players to Sunderland,” Neville said.
Keane added: “I was trying to get a good player. It’s a manager’s job.
“He had a choice of Sunderland or Villarreal, I think. He went to Villarreal and done really well. He had a couple of injuries, but done really well.”
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