Roy Keane has been backed to return to management, with former Sunderland player Kieran Richardson insisting the Manchester United legend still has 'a lot to offer'. The 51-year-old has not held a managerial role since leaving Ipswich Town in 2011, but has been a regular pundit on Sky Sports and ITV.
Richardson, who played under Keane at Sunderland, expressed surprise that the Irishman had not remained in coaching. Speaking on the SAFC Unfiltered podcast, he said: 'I am surprised [Keane did not stay in management]. I feel like he has a lot to offer, Roy, within football.'
Keane's last touchline role was as assistant manager at Nottingham Forest in the 2018/19 season. He also served as Republic of Ireland assistant boss from 2013 to 2018 and had a brief stint at Aston Villa. His only full-time managerial jobs were at Sunderland, where he led the club to Premier League promotion in 2007, and Ipswich Town.
Richardson described Keane as 'laid back in training, but he can flick the switch at any minute'. He added: 'Some players thrive on it and some players can't really handle that approach, but for me as a player I always liked that approach. He tells it how it is.'
The former Manchester United winger also drew comparisons between Keane's management style and that of Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough. 'I think there are similarities [between the approaches of Ferguson and Keane],' Richardson said. 'How can you not learn from someone when you play under them for so long?'
