Roy Keane Ends 15-Year Feud with Player After ‘Emotional’ Private Meeting

Roy Keane has finally ended his 15-year feud with one of his biggest foes, with the pair now in a "better place" with the relationship.

Keane, a seven-time Premier League winner, battled with a whole host of players in his career before moving into management and punditry.

Patrick Vieira was one of his most famous enemies on the pitch in the height of the Arsenal vs Manchester United rivalry but the two were able to put that past them, working together on ITV and sharing memories in an episode of Stick to Football last year.

However, another high-profile long-lasting row of Keane's involved former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer, who he played with for the Republic of Ireland.

Keane's feud with McAteer explained

When Keane, Ireland's captain, left their Saipan training base at the 2002 after a blazing row with Mick McCarthy which has now been turned into a film, McAteer backed his manager.

Keane spoke about McAteer in his 2002 autobiography, writing that he was "too fond of himself for my liking, more interested in hair gel and nightclubs than winning football matches".

McAteer responded and said he was "not losing sleep over" the remarks and when they met on the pitch in a clash between Sunderland and United in 2003/04, he taunted him by telling him "put it in your book” and mimicked writing during a clash.

Keane was later sent off for an elbow on McAteer, who said he knew what "buttons to press" and that he "walked off smiling" as he wound up the midfielder.

The two proceeded to go back and forth on a number of occasions. Speaking on The Overlap about his red card against McAteer as he analysed his dismissals, Keane said: “Just because you play with someone doesn’t mean you’re mates.

"He was one of these players who shout their mouths off. I didn’t mind lads kicking me or booting me, honestly, but McAteer as usual had plenty to say for himself. But even then, I didn’t deserve to be sent off in that game, absolutely not."

In response, McAteer took to X and wrote: "Love it. Players shouting their mouths off !!! Funny You can’t shut the clown up now. And no we weren’t team -mates cause he never showed up and when he did he went home !!!! Please !!!!! Bore off."

McAteer reveals private, emotional encounter

At the launch of his book 'Blood, Sweat and McAteer', the former Bolton and Blackburn midfielder said that he had not spoken to Keane in years and had been blanked by him on more than one occasion.

Despite being ignored, McAteer stressed that he was "always there for a chat if he wants to engage". And that now appears to have happened, with McAteer recently revealing that the two have improved their relationship after an encounter where he "found it really difficult to keep my emotions in check".

He is now "glad" that positive steps have been taken in regards to the rapport between them after such a long time.

McAteer, speaking to SPORTbible via Kasinohai, said: "Yeah, something happened a few months ago and I'd like to think we're in a, privately, we're in a better place. You know, I was disappointed with the situation between us.

"I'm an admirer of Roy in lots of different aspects, privately and professionally. I'm disappointed that our relationship, it was what it was for 15 years.

Something happened a few months ago that I was really emotional about. I found it really difficult to keep my emotions in check when we came together and something positive came out of it. I just thought 15 years wasted was far too long."

He added: "I feel I do have a lot in common with him. We shared some really, really good times together. We shared some difficult times together. We shared a rivalry.

"I feel, on the football pitch, I totally understand where he comes from. He's a winner. I was a winner. We just did it in different ways.

"We shared a dressing room together. Some of my highlights of my career, qualifying for the World Cup, that took some doing. He was part of that. I hold him in such high esteem as a professional footballer, as an athlete.

"I'm glad our relationship is, let's just say it's in a better place than what it's been."