Will Roy Keane get back to management? Former Manchester United star favorite to be Salford City FC's gaffer
It appears Roy Keane, the Manchester United legend has emerged as the prime candidate to fill Salford manager Graham Alexander's shoes after he was sacked on Monday. The news comes in with Keane being seen when the club played Tranmere on Saturday which resulted in a 2-2 draw and was Alexander's final game as gaffer of the side as he was seen sitting alongside Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.
According to The Mirror, Keane has been looking to get back to a managerial role after his stint as an assistant to Martin O'Neill for the Republic of Ireland between 2013 and 2018. Scholes will be looking after the team until Salford awaits their new manager. Scholes is the co-owner of the club with former mates, Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and Nicky Butt. Alexander has been with the team since 2018 and leads the side to promotion to League 2. The club is placed fifth and has remained undefeated in their first five games.
A statement released by the Ammies on the club’s official website read: "Salford City Football Club announces that manager Graham Alexander has left the club with immediate effect. "The club met with Graham this morning and after the discussion has agreed to part company. The club would like to thank Graham for his contribution and all his hard work. In his first season, he guided the team to Wembley, resulting in promotion to League Two, and in his second season, he reached the Leasing.com Trophy final.
"The club would like to wish him all the best and success in the future. First-team coach, Chris Lucketti, will also leave the club. Paul Scholes will act as the interim head coach while the club looks to secure a new manager. Warren Joyce, currently in isolation, will join Paul once he is able to."
Meanwhile, Keane launched his coaching career with Sunderland and under his reign, the team rose the ranks steadily and also saw him named as manager of the year before he resigned in 2008. He was appointed as the new manager of Ipswich Town on a two-year contract soon after his Sunderland assignment. Despite the changes he rang in, the team drew too many games, and the defeats they suffered meant the side ended the season in 15th place.
The former United skipper then moved on to take the position of the assistant manager while O' Neill spearheaded the Republic of Ireland team in 2013. In 2014, he was confirmed as the new assistant manager of Aston Villa where he worked with gaffer Paul Lambert. however, the same year, Keane quit his role as assistant manager at Villa to concentrate on his assistant manager role with Ireland. Known for his feisty characteristics on the field, Keane usually is known for carrying the same attitude in his coaching.
A skilled, dominant, consistent, and highly competitive midfielder, Keane would be working under his United teammates if he takes the job. The site also added coach Warren Joyce would have taken charge of the side but is currently in isolation. Irish bookmakers, Paddy Power have him at just 10/3 and reckon Keane would have a chance. The Spokesman of Paddy Power told The Mirror: “It’s still early days, but our punters have been backing Keane to be the next Salford City manager. I’d imagine the Class of 92 would be too terrified to reject him if he applied."