Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson's relationship - or lack thereof - since the latter's departure from Manchester United in 2005 has been well-documented. The Republic of Ireland midfielder didn't appreciate the way his Old Trafford exit was handled, with neither man backing down on the part they played to this day.
Despite the animosity between the pair since they parted ways professionally, there is still a large amount of respect between them for what they accomplished together. Keane lifted seven Premier League titles and one Champions League during his time in Manchester as one of the biggest influences on Ferguson's dominant Red Devils.
One leading from the dugout and the other going to war on the pitch every week, there were few scarier sights for opposition teams and players than Ferguson and his long-serving captain. Despite all this, the greatest Premier League manager of all time didn't get the nod when Keane was asked to name the best coach he'd ever had.
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Roy Keane Picks Brian Clough Over Ferguson
'I think with Sir Alex Ferguson it was pure business'
Ferguson isn't the only iconic manager Keane worked under during his glittering playing career. The Irishman was first brought over to England by Nottingham Forest, who were led by heroic boss Brian Clough. Having led the Tricky Trees to two European Cup triumphs, Keane ranked Clough ahead of Ferguson. He said:
"I worked under two great managers, and I put Brian Clough ahead of Alex Ferguson for a simple reason. What was the most important thing in my football career? Brian Clough signing me. That kick started everything.
"Different managers, both brilliant. I think Clough’s warmth was genuine. I think with Sir Alex Ferguson it was pure business – everything is business. If he was being nice I would think: ‘This is business, this’."
Clough spent 18 years at the helm at the City Ground before exiting in 1993, when Keane also departed for Old Trafford after three years at the club. The English boss was one of the greatest man-managers the British game has ever seen, making it no surprise that Keane rates him as his best-ever gaffer.
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Roy Keane on 'Ruthless' Sir Alex Ferguson
'His coldness made him successful'
Going into more detail about Ferguson as a leader, Keane was complimentary of the way he found success. He believes the 'ruthless' nature of the Scot was something that helped players know where they stood. The midfielder-turned-pundit claimed:
"He was driven and ruthless. That lack of warmth was his strength. United was a much bigger club than Forest, but his coldness made him successful.
"His message was the same. I was never once confused by one of his team talks or his tactics, or his training. The message was always fresh. I must have heard him talk 500 times and I always thought: ‘Yeah, that was good’."
Despite the praise for Ferguson's approach towards his players, Keane concluded that he would take parts of both managers for when he eventually went into the world of football management himself: "I think that’s amazing. As a manager, I would take Clough’s warmth and Ferguson’s ruthlessness and put them in the mix – but also add my own traits."
Roy Keane's Statistics at Manchester United Under Sir Alex Ferguson
Competition
Premier League
Champions League
Champions League Qualifying
UEFA Cup
FA Cup
League Cup
UEFA Super Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
Intercontinental Cup
Community Shield
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 29-03-25.