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Roy Keane accuses Alex Ferguson of hanging on like a bad smell at Manchester United

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The Indian Express

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Roy Keane accuses Alex Ferguson of hanging on like a bad smell at Manchester United
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Why it matters

Keane questioned whether Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill were still making the decisions with regards to the club.

Key takeaways

  • (File)Manchester United legend Roy Keane has took a dig at former and legendary manager Alex Ferguson, accusing him of hanging around like a bad smell at the club.
  • What happens in the interview that they sit there and go, and 12, 14 months later, ‘He’s not the guy for us’.
  • When you’re an employee of the club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United.

Keane questioned whether Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill were still making the decisions with regards to the club. (File)

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has took a dig at former and legendary manager Alex Ferguson, accusing him of hanging around like a bad smell at the club. Days after United parted ways with head coach Ruben Amorim, Keane questioned whether Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill were still making the decisions with regards to the club.

Since Ferguson vacated the hot seat at the conclusion of the 2012/13 season, United have had six different managers and four interim managers with Amorim being the latest one to get sacked middle of the season. Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane wondered why the club appointed managers and changing them a year later saying: “he is not the guy for us.”

After Amorim quit mid-way through the season, Darren Fletcher has been appointed as the care-taker manager. “What happens in these job interviews? I’m intrigued. Why do they keep giving certain people a job? What happens in the interview that they sit there and go, and 12, 14 months later, ‘He’s not the guy for us’. Do you not suss that out when you speak to them? You look somebody in the eye and go. You see who’s making the decisions at Manchester United. You still have Ferguson and David Gill hanging on like a bad smell. Who’s making the decisions? Ratcliffe, Wilcox?” Keane said.

Despite parting ways with the club after winning the Premier League title in the 2012/13 season, Ferguson attends United’s home matches and it was only in 2024, the club told him not to enter the dressing room at the end of a game.

Fletcher too revealed that he got in touch with Ferguson after being appointed care-taker manager. “I don’t like to make any major decisions without speaking to Sir Alex. I’ve got a really good relationship with Sir Alex, so I wanted to speak to him first and ultimately to get his blessing, to be perfectly honest with you. I think he deserves that respect. I wanted to run it by him and he echoed my thoughts. When you’re an employee of the club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United. It is something I try and live and believe every day, so it was comforting for me for him to say that.”

The Indian ExpressVerified

Curated by James Chen

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Publisher: The Indian Express

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Published: Jan 9, 2026

Read time: 2 min

Category: India