Manchester United legend Roy Keane has hailed one “very honest” Premier League manager after admitting that he could have seen himself playing under him.
Roy Keane, who has become a key punditry figure, had a legendary club playing career before hanging up his football boots in 2006 and transitioning into coaching.
The 52-year-old Irishman is widely regarded as one of the best captains in Premier League history after a magnificent spell at Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Keane to Old Trafford in 1993 and the former United skipper excelled in his role as a box-to-box midfielder at the club.
Keane later inherited the captaincy after United legend Eric Cantona announced his sudden retirement, with the Irishman impressing with his commanding leadership.
The United legend was a linchpin midfield figure for former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and was revered for his no-nonsense approach on the field.
Man Utd legend Keane talks ‘bigger picture’
Roy Keane has spoken openly on the impact that managers had in his career, including the influence of legendary former Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough.
The former Manchester United midfielder has even admitted that he regretted not playing abroad in his career after two elite European teams were interested in him.
Keane previously revealed that he would have loved to have played under Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, but the United legend is impressed by another manager.
The Irish hardman was on punditry for Sky Sports during Liverpool’s thumping 4-2 Premier League win over Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is set to leave United’s rivals at the end of the season, with Keane praising the German for his “fantastic” work at Anfield.
“Look at the bigger picture and what he’s done for this football club and it is fantastic,” Keane said after the Spurs match (via Liverpool Echo).
“We talk about the type of football he’s played; it’s been very entertaining. He’s giving young players a chance. They’re back competing at the highest level and won some of the biggest prizes.
“He’s also missed out and been close. This is a proper rollercoaster for him and one of his strengths is that he’s an emotional guy. We see that on the sideline with him.”
Keane would play under Klopp
Klopp’s hopes of winning the Premier League title in his final season at the Reds are effectively over after Liverpool’s slip-up in form in recent weeks.
The Reds are third in the Premier League table and are five points behind league leaders Arsenal with only two matches remaining.
Keane admitted that Klopp is a “very honest” manager and he would have been open to playing for him “back in the day.”
“He’s a very honest manager and I don’t think he plays too many games,” he said.
“He’s not like this robot after games where he’s almost just media-trained.
“He seems a very honest manager and I always try to picture if I was a player back in the day, I think I’d like to play for this guy.”