Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane once turned up at a player’s house to confront him about alleged leaked stories.
Keane, 54, has never been one to mince his words when he feels an issue needs to be addressed, whether that be during his playing days with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Celtic and the Republic of Ireland or even when acting as a pundit nowadays.
The 54-year-old ex-captain helped United win 17 trophies in 12 full seasons at the Red Devils, including seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one Champions League before a short spell in Scotland at Celtic.
After calling time on his playing career in 2006, the Irishman, who won 67 caps for his country, undertook the manager’s role at Sunderland before leading the Black Cats to Premier League promotion during the 2006/07 campaign.
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Following his Sunderland exit in 2008, Keane then joined Ipswich Town as head coach in 2009 and guided the Tractor Boys to 15th in his only full season in charge – although he did help them reach the League Cup semi-finals in 2010/11.
Since then, Keane has worked as an assistant coach for the Republic of Ireland national team as well as Forest and Aston Villa - and it was at the latter that he attempted to confront a first-team player.
Back in 2014, the Daily Mail reported that Keane travelled to Tom Cleverley’s Cheshire home to confront him.
The outlet reported that the 54-year-old pressed the doorbell and waited for 15 minutes but left as the former England midfielder did not answer.
This came just a month after Keane quit his role as Paul Lambert’s assistant, as he could not balance it with being Ireland’s number two under the then-head coach Martin O’Neill.
It was thought that Keane was annoyed over alleged leaked stories about supposed dressing room bust-ups during his time at Villa, with the Irishman under the impression Cleverley had been in contact with the press.
Since then, Cleverley has spoken about his frosty relationship with Keane and explained how he received a “mouthful” in a text exchange when he wanted to sign for Everton over Aston Villa when Keane was assistant at Villa Park.
Speaking on the Fozcast in 2023, Cleverley, who is now head coach of Plymouth Argyle, said: “Before the Villa loan [from Man Utd in 2014], I had been to Roy's house because we lived very close to each other.
“He sold me the Villa project, he was an assistant to Paul Lambert at the time, I really liked the idea of it.
“I was also speaking to Roberto Martinez at Everton, who I had worked with [in 2010/11].
“I probably should have been a bit more transparent and said I was speaking to Everton as well.”
The former England midfielder then revealed that he texted Keane “out of respect” to tell him he wanted to sign for Everton instead of Villa.
“He has sent me back a mouthful, not happy,” Cleverley added.
“Anyway, the deal between United and Everton fell through. I ended up going to Villa on loan.”
After his loan spell at Villa during the 2014/15 campaign, the midfielder did eventually join Everton on a permanent deal.
Topics: Roy Keane, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Football, Premier League
Luke Davies