Roy Keane has pulled no punches with a scathing verdict of former Manchester United head coach Carlos Queiroz ahead of the 2026 World Cup getting underway
Roy Keane has hit out at former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz.
Roy Keane has hit out at former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz(Image: ITV)
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Manchester United legend Roy Keane has sensationally laid into former Red Devils coach Carlos Queiroz ahead of the World Cup. The 73-year-old Portuguese coach served as assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, and Keane claims he had the 'personality of a dead fish' during their time working together.
Queiroz was a key member of the United coaching setup that helped secure three Premier League titles and the Champions League under Ferguson. Now at the helm of Ghana, Queiroz will go head-to-head with Thomas Tuchel's England at this summer's World Cup.
However, Keane says there are 'question marks' over Queiroz's managerial capabilities, having held a string of positions at international level. Appearing on ITV's coverage examining England's World Cup rivals, Keane said: "I just hope they don't become too defensive. One of Carlos's biggest strengths was his defensive side of the game.
"Brilliant coach, huge question marks over him as a manager. I felt like he had the personality of a dead fish when I worked with him."
The former United coach is relishing the prospect of this summer's World Cup, with Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo set to be one of Ghana's standout players at the tournament. "When you talk about football in Ghana, it is in the blood, it is everything," Queiroz said.
"And the talent is here so it is an explosive combination to succeed, which was the first and most important attraction to Ghana. We're ready to take off and start to fly straight to the World Cup."
Former Man United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz is now in charge of Ghana.
Former Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz is now in charge of Ghana(Image: (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images))
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Yet Queiroz has also faced criticism for naming former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey in his World Cup squad. Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one account of sexual assault involving four different women between 2020 and 2022.
The 32-year-old midfielder, currently playing for Villareal in Spain, is due to stand trial next year. Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku has previously stated he would support Partey.
When questioned about any reservations regarding Partey's inclusion, Queiroz said: "If the player is here with me, my answer is clear.
"I don't have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about? This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.
"Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth."
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