Former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi has delivered his verdict on the club's pursuit of a new permanent manager, with Roy Keane's name now thrown in the ring
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has been named the perfect next manager by a former team-mate(Image: Getty Images)
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Roy Keane is the best option to take over as the next Manchester United manager because he is the only personality who could do what Sir Alex Ferguson did. That is the verdict of former United forward Giuseppe Rossi, who has backed Keane to replace Michael Carrick and become the new boss at Old Trafford.
United are still looking for a permanent successor for Ruben Amorim despite appointing Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the season. Carrick made an instant impression in his first game back in charge, leading the Reds to a 2-0 win against arch rivals Manchester City on Saturday.
But speculation is still rife about who United are going to appoint as Amorim's permanent replacement in the summer. Oliver Glasner is still the favourite to be United's manager for the start of the 2026/27 season, while Carrick, Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel complete the top four.
Ex-Italy international Rossi, however, believes that Keane should be a strong contender to become United's next manager. Keane is as high as 80/1 with some bookmakers to take over at the Reds, but Rossi has tipped him to be the best fit due to his strong character and leadership.
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Speaking to OLBG, Rossi, who was at United at the same time as Keane and Carrick, said: "You need managers who were players that have been in the system. Michael Carrick. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Give me Roy Keane!
"These are the types of players that understand what it is to be a Manchester United player because it's a different culture, it's different expectations, it's a different atmosphere when you're in Carrington or at Old Trafford.
"Ask all the ex-coaches who have been at United. It's very hard to live up to the legacy of the boss, of the man, but people like Sir Alex, who are the names I've been saying, they don't want to compare themselves to him.
"That's been the error of those coaches, trying to be like Sir Alex and better him and create their own way of doing things at Manchester United.
"You need to be humble. Put your ego to one side. Let a lot of things go. Sure, implement certain things that are true to you so you can see yourself in the team but what Manchester United really need is someone who knows what they had with Sir Alex to bring it back.
Former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi
Former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi has explained why he thinks Keane should take over(Image: Getty Images)
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"It's a shame that Roy Keane can't just bury the hatchet with Sir Alex, but listen, they have their reasons, and truthfully, I'll just leave it up to him and to whoever is involved.
"I always like to talk the football side of things, and personality-wise, I see Roy as a manager who might be one of the only guys who could do what Sir Alex did at United."
Keane made 480 appearances during a successful, trophy-laden spell at United, scoring 51 goals and winning 17 trophies, including the Premier League seven times and the FA Cup on four occasions.
The ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder retired from football in June 2006 and made the jump straight into management, taking over at Championship side Sunderland. He did a terrific job at the Stadium of Light, guiding the Black Cats to promotion back to the Premier League in his first season.
He then kept Sunderland in the top flight in the following campaign and spearheaded them to a famous 2-1 home win against arch rivals Newcastle United. But Keane ended up standing down from his role at the Black Cats in December 2008 after a difficult start to his third season in charge.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is currently in charge on an interim basis and is an option to take the job full-time(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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After spending a couple of months out, Keane returned to take over at Ipswich Town in April 2009. Once again, Keane solidified the Tractor Boys in the Championship but was axed in January 2011. His record at Portman Road stood at 28 wins, 25 draws and 28 losses from his 81 matches.
While Keane has done some coaching as an assistant to Martin O'Neill in the Ireland national team and at Nottingham Forest, as well as working under Paul Lambert at Aston Villa, it has been 15 years since he last had the top job.
"He hasn’t managed in a while, but I feel like he has that same fire in him, and he loves Manchester United," Rossi added. "I think we can all tell he’s saying things from a place of passion. He always wants the best for the club.
"If that day ever comes, that Roy Keane returns to United, you’re going to see him show more similarities to Sir Alex Ferguson rather than differences.
"He’s doing great with his media career and you know what, why not take advantage of it? God bless him for doing that. He’s done so tremendously well with his playing career, he deserves to do whatever he wants, whatever makes him happy. But I would love to see him at Manchester United."