Manchester United legend Roy Keane has now been told by one of his former Sunderland players the major obstacle that he faced as a manager.
Roy Keane had a legendary playing spell at Manchester United and the 53-year-old Irishman is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time.
The Irish hardman left Old Trafford in 2005 after he was axed by Sir Alex Ferguson and Keane went on to have a brief playing spell at Celtic before retiring in 2006.
Following the end of his remarkable playing career, Keane wasted no time entering the world of management and he was appointed Sunderland manager in 2006.
The United legend did find success at the Stadium of Light and he led the Black Cats back to the Premier League after lifting the Championship title with the club.
However, Keane’s reign at Sunderland came to an end in 2008 following the iconic former United captain resigning from his post after 27 months in charge.
The former Sunderland boss would return to management in 2009 with Ipswich Town, but Keane endured an ill-fated spell as manager of the Tractor Boys.
Keane would be dismissed from Portman Road in 2011 and the former United midfielder would not return to management after his time at Ipswich Town.
What Man Utd legend Roy Keane did when arrived at Sunderland as manager
Roy Keane has become a leading pundit after the end of his coaching and management career, but he has continued to be linked with a return to the dugout.
Ross Wallace was teammates with Keane at Celtic before the 39-year-old former winger left the Scottish side and completed a move to Sunderland in 2006.
The former Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday star was playing under Keane at the Stadium of Light and has now opened up about the Manchester United legend.
Wallace has claimed former Celtic teammate Keane was “never” able to shed the infamous no-nonsense attitude and ice-cold demeanour that he had as a player.
Speaking on the Under The Cosh podcast, he said: “When he [Keane] was at Sunderland, I think because he came straight out of playing, you’ve still got that personality of a player, you know what I mean? I think he just never overcame that.
“All the lads would [say] just relax a little bit. The standards that he was expecting, we weren’t in Man United, were we?
“We had good players for the Championship, and when we went to Premier League, we had decent players, but we weren’t in Man United.
“I just think his expectation of the players, I just thought, just give the players just a little bit of leeway.”
Ross Wallace recalled hilarious Sunderland transfer story involving Man Utd legend Roy Keane
Keane signed Ross Wallace and Stanislav Varga for Sunderland from Celtic in 2006, with the transfer fee believed to be over £1m for the pair.
Wallace revealed that Tony Loughlan, who was a first-team coach under Keane at Sunderland, played a hilarious prank on him after he signed from Celtic.
“I’d already signed, so it was me and Stan Varga, we went and met [him],” he continued.
“Roy was staying in the Ramside [Hotel in Durham], but I think he had, like, a farmhouse right at the back of it.
“We’re up the country roads trying to find it, my friend finally found it, and obviously, this was like Roy’s manor.
“So he’s got me and my agent – and obviously Roy and Tony Loughlan – and Lougho, the first team coach, he’s got three chairs.
“My agent sat down, there’s Roy, and Tony’s like, ‘Sorry Ross, I’ll get you a chair.’ [He] goes through to the kitchen and brings through a highchair.
“Just pure straight face, [he] carries it through, [and] he just lifts me in it. He picks me up and puts me in it!
“But just to break the ice, you know what I mean? That was quite funny. I was like, ‘You’ve done me there.’”
Following his time at Ipswich Town, United legend Keane went on to serve as assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
