Roy Keane had an explosive fallout with Sir Alex Ferguson which led to his departure from Manchester United in 2005 and the pair haven't mended their relationship in the two decades since
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Roy Keane has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson(Image: ITV Sport)
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Roy Keane quipped that he 'isn't one to hold grudges' after he put Sir Alex Ferguson on his football Mount Rushmore. Keane and Ferguson haven't spoken to each other in more than two decades following the Irishman's acrimonious departure from Manchester United in November 2005.
Keane's contract was terminated during an explosive meeting with then-United manager Ferguson and former CEO David Gill. The summit was held after Keane's infamous takedown of his team-mates during a never-aired interview on MUTV.
The legendary midfielder left Old Trafford after 15 trophy-laden years, eight of them as captain, serving as Ferguson's trusted lieutenant. Keane has frequently expressed his resentment towards Ferguson for how he treated him, although he still has respect for his old boss.
When asked by ITV to name his four most influential people in football, creating a fictional Mount Rushmore, Keane picked Diego Maradona, Brian Clough, Jack Charlton and, finally, Ferguson. "Obviously, a manager I spent most of my time with, Alex Ferguson," Keane explained.
"(I am) still disappointed with the way he treated me at the end. But that's life, I'm not one to hold grudges," he added with a wry smile.
Keane's playful tone suggests that he may be more open to burying the hatchet with Ferguson compared to years gone by. Previously, the ex-United captain has made it clear that he'd never forgive him and does indeed hold a grudge when it comes his former manager.
During a 2019 Off The Ball show in Dublin, Keane firmly declared to the audience: "I wouldn't forgive Ferguson. The media spin, how I apparently upset everybody, it was all nonsense.
"People talk about Ferguson's man-management. Nonsense. People said he always had the best interests of Manchester United at heart.
"Darren Ferguson [his son] won a medal. He was very lucky. His brother was the chief scout for Manchester United for a long time. I'm surprised his wife wasn't involved in the staff somewhere.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane of Manchester United attend a press conference ahead of the FA Cup Final at Carrington Training Ground on May 18, 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane still aren't on speaking terms(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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"Darren was [the manager] at Preston North End and lost his job. He had a couple of young players on loan from Manchester United. Guess what happens the next day?
"They're pulled out of Preston. Is that doing the best for Manchester United? Do me a favour. People talk about Ferguson's man-management, don't be kidded on by all of it.
"I was at the club when Bryan Robson left, when Steve Bruce left, two brilliant servants for Manchester United. And I didn't like the way they were treated."
Ferguson, in contrast, has rarely spoken about Keane publicly in the 21 years since. The Scot did, however, give his account of their bust-up in his autobiography which was published in 2013.
At a press conference to launch the book, Ferguson stated: "Roy overstepped the mark; he absolutely overstepped the mark."
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