David Connolly on why Roy Keane won’t ‘settle’ for being a football pundit

Robert Redmond

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“I wouldn’t say he’s settling for being a pundit.”

David Connolly has said that Roy Keane won’t ‘settle’ for being a TV football pundit and predicted that the Manchester United legend still has ambitions to become a manager again.

Connolly, who played alongside Keane for the Republic of Ireland, was speaking on House of Football and said that the Irishman may not be finished with coaching or management just yet.

David Connolly on Roy Keane potentially returning to management.

Keane has not worked in coaching since leaving Nottingham Forest in 2019, where he had been Martin O’Neill’s assistant manager.

The pair previously worked together for five years with Ireland, when they helped the national team qualify for Euro 2016.

Keane’s last position as a manager was with Ipswich between April 2009 and January 2011. Keane had a successful stint as Sunderland boss between 2006 and 2008.

The former Ireland captain helped the Black Cats earn promotion to the Premier League and remain in the division. In January 2022, he was linked with a return to the club but seemingly decided to remain in punditry.

According to Connolly, however, Roy may still have ambitions to return to management.

“Roy, he’s got a wicked sense of humour, he can be quite dark with it at times,” Connolly said on House of Football.

“I mean, I’d love to know how he thinks when he’s working alongside Daniel Sturridge. I think Roy must think at times, ‘What am I doing here?’ I’m sure he does. I think Roy feels he was destined to manage.

“I wouldn’t say he’s settling for being a pundit, but I’m sure deep down he would know that this is ultimately what he would want to be doing.

Former Ireland striker David Connolly on what Mauricio Pochettino is like behind the scenes, and why there’s no one better to put shape on Chelsea 👊

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“He’d want to be managing,” Connolly continued.

“He’d want to be coaching and managing. But his honesty is brilliant. I like that he calls things as they are and he’s got a great sense of humour.

“Yeah, if you fall on the wrong side of him, as people do… but I had good and bad times with Roy and I think he brings a lot to that punditry.

“I think with someone alongside him (as an assistant coach), he could still offer a lot in the game. And I don’t think he’ll be settling for being a pundit.

“I’d love to know what he says when he goes home to his missus about Daniel Sturridge!”

You can watch the full show below, with the section on Keane at around 15 minutes in.