A United legend out, a United legend in?
With West Bromwich Albion sacking Steve Bruce today, another former Manchester United star has emerged as one of the favorites to fill the vacant managerial role at the Hawthorns.
Bruce, who scored a highly commendable 309 Premier League appearances for United, has become a veteran manager within the English football league.
The favorite to replace him, however, has been out of management for a decade.
Roy Keane, perhaps one of United’s greatest legends of all time, has become West Brom’s next manager.
Rumors of Keane’s arrival at Small Heath began to circulate after he was spotted in the stands during the Baggies’ recent game against Preston North End, to whom they lost 1-0.
Bruce was sacked by the West Brom hierarchy after posting a low 25% win rate during his 32 games in charge.
The club is now in the Championship relegation zone.
Former United captain and seven-time Premier League winner Keane was the last in charge of Ipswich Town after a fruitful spell with AFC Sunderland.
He was sacked by Ipswich in 2011 and proceeded to help fellow Irishman Martin O’Neill on a number of occasions.
Keane has since built a successful, and somewhat notorious, career as a pundit on Sky Sports and ITV Football.
Bookmakers have now reduced the odds (5/1) of Keane becoming West Brom’s new manager to the extent that he is now the frontrunner. This is probably influenced by his presence at Preston’s match.
Several years ago he made public his goal of resuming the managerial career, but he has reaffirmed at all times that he will only take the reins of the club in accordance with his ideals.
“Obviously the chances are getting smaller and smaller as the months go by,” Keane had told Sporf.
“I would still like to have a chance. When I say the right opportunity, it has to be the right opportunity.”
On the other hand, he commented in April that he would not feel entirely comfortable returning to management.
Speaking to LADBible, Keane had said: “I almost feel like those days are over for me now.
“I don’t think I can go back to management.”
His most famous spell as manager was with Sunderland, when he guided them from relegation zone to promotion from the Premier League by winning the Championship in the space of one season.
It then managed to retain Premier League status the following year.
With The Baggies sitting in a similar situation to Sunderland in 2006, Keane’s past track record in combination with his desire to re-enter football management may be seen by key decision-makers as ideal attributes for him. receive the keys to Los Espinos.
