Roy Keane caught Manchester United legend Gary Neville by complete surprise after he came close to signing a legendary former player when he was a manager.
The 53-year-old former Manchester United captain called it time on his legendary playing career in 2006 before he entered the world of coaching.
Roy Keane took his first steps into management with Sunderland in 2006 and the United legend led the Black Cats to Premier League promotion during his spell.
The Sky Sports pundit, who lifted the Championship title at the end of the 2006-07 season with Sunderland, would resign from his role at the Black Cats in 2008.
Following his time at the Stadium of Light, Keane returned to management with Ipswich Town in 2009 and endured an ill-fated spell with the club.
The Irishman’s managerial spell with Ipswich Town ended in 2011 after he was sacked and Keane never became an out-and-out manager again.
Keane would later serve as assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest before pivoting towards a more prominent role in punditry.
Man Utd legend Keane makes transfer revelation
Roy Keane appeared alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright on The Overlap on Tour and crossed paths with Italy and Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini.
Giorgio Chiellini is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time and the 40-year-old Italian had a remarkable playing career in Serie A.
The former Juventus defender lifted nine Serie A titles, a Serie B title and five Coppa Italia trophies during his spell with the Old Lady.
Keane revealed that Sunderland were interested in signing a 22-year-old Chiellini after crossing paths with the Italian ex-centre-back in a pre-season friendly.
“Yeah, there were talks, but agents [prevented the move],” he said.
Keane continued: “You played for Juventus against Sunderland in 2007. Just a pre-season friendly.
“And after the game, people who were working with Sunderland were saying that you could be available, you were a young player.
“I think there were definitely chats.”
Chiellini responds to Keane’s Sunderland claim
Giorgio Chiellini, who called it time on his career in 2023, claimed that he came close to signing for Keane’s side and Neville was left stunned by the admission.
“I said yes. I said yes to my agent,” he said.
Responding to Chiellini, Neville asked: “To Sunderland [you said yes]?”
Chiellini added: “Not to Sunderland, to him [Keane]!”
Keane revealed that the bid to bring Italy legend Chiellini to the Stadium of Light was scuppered due to the financial difficulties to pull off the transfer.
“Obviously, there were issues with money and transfer,” he said.
“I think they were saying about £10million or £12million at the time. You were just young.”
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