Ange Postecoglou thanks Roy Keane for 'unbelievable' gesture 26 years ago

Ange Postecoglou recalled an 'unbelievable’ gesture Roy Keane made during a fixture at the World Club Championship that left a lasting impression on him.

Postecoglou is currently out of work following his Nottingham Forest dismissal last October.

He lasted just 39 days in charge of Forest, having been sacked by Tottenham at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The 60-year-old made his name down under following his roles with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, as well as Australia, where he guided the national team to the 2014 World Cup.

Not to mention South Melbourne.

He began his managerial career with the Melbourne-based side and led them to the World Club Championship - now known as the Club World Cup - in 2000.

During South Melbourne’s campaign, Postecoglou pitted his wits against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.

Ange Postecoglou during his early days as a manager in Australia. Image: Getty

Needless to say, Man United, who won the treble the season before, ran out 2-0 winners as Quinton Fortune bagged a brace.

In the latest episode of The Overlap, Postecoglou joined the likes of Gary Neville and Keane and recalled South Melbourne’s game against the Red Devils.

In doing so, the ex-Premier League boss recalled Keane’s brilliant gesture

Given the nature of the game, the South Melbourne players wanted to grab a shirt from the Man United stars, with the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer playing.

Quinton Fortune celebrates scoring a goal against South Melbourne in the World Club Championship. Image: Getty

But, according to Postecoglou, some Man United players refused to give up their match-worn shirts until Keane intervened.

The Irishman, who was the club captain, told his teammates to give up their shirts, which was appreciated by the South Melbourne players and Postecoglou.

"I'll tell you a story about Roy, he won't mind me saying it," said the Australian gaffer.

"After the game, our guys were mad for shirts. Our little no.7 literally man-marked David Beckham for the last 15 minutes, even though he was totally out of position, just to make sure he was there for the full-time whistle.

"Then after the game, a couple of our guys drug control got them, so they missed out. They've gone into the Man United room after and said to a couple of the guys, I won't mention who, 'can we swap shirts?'

"They said no. Then Roy grabbed them and said 'give them your shirt will you'.

"Mate they couldn't speak higher of Roy. The impression that made on my players, they said 'you wouldn't believe it, Roy Keane told them to give it'."