Roy Keane’s ex-Sunderland player revealed what happened during an “intense” encounter with the Manchester United legend when he was Black Cats manager.
The 53-year-old Manchester United legend called it time on his remarkable playing career in football in 2006 after a brief spell with Scottish side Celtic.
Roy Keane was appointed Sunderland manager in 2006 and he did find some success with the Black Cats, including lifting the Championship title with the club.
Following Sunderland’s Championship title win in the 2006-07 season, Keane’s men returned to the Premier League and stayed up in the 2007-08 campaign.
Keane’s time as Sunderland manager came to an end in 2008 after he stepped down from his role at the Stadium of Light after 27 months in charge at the club.
The former United captain later made his return to management with Ipswich Town in 2009, but Keane would endure an ill-fated spell at the Tractor Boys.
Keane’s reign at Ipswich Town ended with his sacking in 2011 after 20 months in charge, with the club 19th in the Championship table at the time of his exit.
The ex-Republic of Ireland and United midfielder has been out of management since his spell with Ipswich, but Keane has since become a leading pundit on TV.
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Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Jordan Henderson explains Roy Keane’s reaction to him at Sunderland
Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson came through the ranks of the Sunderland youth academy before breaking into the first team at the Stadium of Light.
The 34-year-old ex-Liverpool star recalled when Keane summoned all players to the Sunderland training complex and everyone’s face “went white.”
Henderson said that the ex-Sunderland and Ipswich Town boss went around each person and dropped a Sir Alex Ferguson-esque ‘hairdryer treatment’ on them.
When Keane confronted the England star, Henderson stood firm with his response and he found himself on the receiving end of praise from the Manchester United legend.
“It was intense, while we were on a coach, our coach has come to us and said, ‘Everybody’s got to go into the training ground when we get there because the gaffer’s coming in, Roy, to see yous,’” he said in an interview, as per the Sunderland Echo.
“Everyone’s face just went white; I must’ve been 18. And like he literally goes around everyone individually like.
“I think somebody had just signed and said, ‘We’ve just paid whatever for you and who do you think you are?’
“Going around talking about like the game, not good enough and basically went round, it was heated.
“Gets to me and he looks at us and says ‘Do you think you can play on the first team?’
“And I don’t know how or why and my response was just like, ‘Yeah,’ and he went, ‘Good, the staff said you were the only one running around’ or something along those lines.”
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Will Man Utd legend Roy Keane ever return to management?
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast in 2024, Keane admitted that he would be open to returning to management if the “right” club and contract came along.
“I think so [interest in returning],” he said on The Overlap.
“Not that you’re going to get the Real Madrid job, but it’s got to be the right challenge, the right club, and the right contract.
“I’ve had opportunities, but sometimes you get offered a contract and you have to look at it with self-worth, is it the right deal for you?
“I’d like to go back in [to management], but I’m not desperate to sign any contract for anybody.”
Keane has been linked with management roles in the past, but the Irish hardman has remained out of the dugout since his managerial tenure with Ipswich.
Following his time with Ipswich, the United legend served as assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest before his coaching exit.