Roy Keane has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson by including him on his football Mount Rushmore, hinting at a possible softening of his stance after two decades of silence.
Keane's Tribute to Ferguson
Roy Keane quipped that he 'isn't one to hold grudges' after he put Sir Alex Ferguson on his football Mount Rushmore. Keane and Ferguson haven't spoken to each other in more than two decades following the Irishman's acrimonious departure from Manchester United in November 2005.
Keane's contract was terminated during an explosive meeting with then-United manager Ferguson and former CEO David Gill. The summit was held after Keane's infamous takedown of his team-mates during a never-aired interview on MUTV.
The legendary midfielder left Old Trafford after 15 trophy-laden years, eight of them as captain, serving as Ferguson's trusted lieutenant. Keane has frequently expressed his resentment towards Ferguson for how he treated him, although he still has respect for his old boss.
Mount Rushmore Selection
When asked by ITV to name his four most influential people in football, creating a fictional Mount Rushmore, Keane picked Diego Maradona, Brian Clough, Jack Charlton and, finally, Ferguson. "Obviously, a manager I spent most of my time with, Alex Ferguson," Keane explained.
"(I am) still disappointed with the way he treated me at the end. But that's life, I'm not one to hold grudges," he added with a wry smile.
Change in Tone
Keane's playful tone suggests that he may be more open to burying the hatchet with Ferguson compared to years gone by. Previously, the ex-United captain has made it clear that he'd never forgive him and does indeed hold a grudge when it comes his former manager.
During a 2019 Off The Ball show in Dublin, Keane firmly declared to the audience: "I wouldn't forgive Ferguson. The media spin, how I apparently upset everybody, it was all nonsense."
People talk about Ferguson's man-management. Nonsense. People said he always had the best interests of Manchester United at heart.
"Darren Ferguson [his son] won a medal. He was very lucky. His brother was the chief scout for Manchester United for a long time. I'm surprised his wife wasn't involved in the staff somewhere.
Ferguson's Account
Ferguson, in contrast, has rarely spoken about Keane publicly in the 21 years since. The Scot did, however, give his account of their bust-up in his autobiography which was published in 2013.
At a press conference to launch the book, Ferguson stated: "Roy overstepped the mark; he absolutely overstepped the mark."
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