Jaap Stam wants to see fellow Manchester United legend Roy Keane back in management – and has even made him an offer.
Keane – a seven-time Premier League champion with the Red Devils – has not held a senior coaching position since being sacked as Ipswich Town boss in January 2011. He has since held assistant positions with the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and most other clubs. most recently Nottingham Forest, but it has been almost six years since he has worked on the sidelines of any team.
Yet former Old Trafford teammate Stam – who won the Treble with Keane in 1999 – believes the Cork native is a loss to the sport. The Dutchman is so passionate about seeing Keane that he has even offered to be his number 2 if he makes a comeback.
Speaking to BoyleSports, which provides the latest Champions League odds, Stam said: “I would like to see Roy Keane back in management and I would like to be his assistant manager. I think he has the potential to be a to be a great manager because he knows so much about the game.
“He can give a lot of individual advice to players and how they can improve, but the decision will be up to him. He is doing well in science at the moment.”
“It's a very different life in management, day and night. You have to be ready for the lifestyle, the club in question and the players. I'm sure he enjoys his current role but I would like to see him in the dugout -out.” Again, if he needs an assistant, I'll be there.”
Keane's greatest success as a manager to date remains his two-and-a-half year spell in charge of Sunderland between 2006 and 2008. He helped the Black Cats gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the helm and was named Championship Manager of the Year, taking them from the relegation zone to the title in a stunning revival.
He has since gone on to enjoy his expert work for Sky Sports and ITV, appearing both on matchdays and in other collaborations. That said, Keane showed interest in returning to management last year, although he said the circumstances would have to be very special.
“I think so,” he said in January 2024 on The Overlap's Stick to Football series. “Not that you are going to get the job at Real Madrid, but it has to be the right challenge, the right club and the right contract.
“I've had opportunities, but sometimes you're offered a contract and you have to look at it with self-esteem. Is this the right deal for you? I would like to go back.” [to coaching]but I'm not desperate to sign a contract for anyone.”
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