Roy Keane set for return to management with Hibs?

FT Desk

• Updated: 27 Apr 2022 17:02 BST
• 4 min read

Roy Keane could be set to make a sensational return to management with Scottish Premier League side Hibernian, according to reports.

Manchester United legend Keane has been working as a pundit with Sky Sports and ITV since his last managerial job with Ipswich Town, which came to an end in January 2011.

Although the former midfielder has worked as an assistant with Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest since, he has made no secret of his desire to be the decision-maker at a club once again.

'Back in as manager'

"I'd like to go back in as a manager," Keane said when linked with a return to his first employers in that role, Sunderland, in February. "But of course, a club has to want you and you have to want to go to the club. And, just as importantly, the contract has to be right.

"Everything has to be right - the right challenge, the right contract. You have to fancy it. I've not had the opportunity the last few years. There has not been a club where I think, 'I'm the right fit for that club'."

That could be about to change, however. Hibs finished third in Scotland last season under Jack Ross, whilst reaching two cup finals, but he was replaced by Shaun Maloney in December after losing seven of his previous nine games.

Maloney, who arrived at Easter Road having been assistant to Roberto Martinez for Belgium, was unable to stop the slide and was duly let go in April after losing the Edinburgh derby to Heart of Midlothian 2-1 in the Scottish Cup.

Belgium are the world's second-highest ranked national team after Brazil, however, and the pursuit of Maloney shows that Hibs chairman Ron Gordon has a taste for recruiting headline-grabbing staff.

Would Keane go to Hibs?

Keane is one of the most decorated Irish players of all time having won 19 major trophies in his playing career as well as 67 caps with his country. Hibernian means Ireland in Latin, and he has shown before than an emotional pull can be just as powerful as any financial one.

Seventeen of those 19 trophies as a player were won with Manchester United, but when Kean left Old Trafford as a player, he saw out his career at Celtic instead of Real Madrid simply because he was a fan.

"I gave other clubs a chance and was impressed with them all," he said at the time. "But it's a great move for me. I feel that this is where I belong and I'm here to work hard and win games. Every boy in Ireland has an interest in Celtic."

Would Keane be good for Hibs?

This is the other side of the coin, and sceptics will point to the fact that Keane's last job in management, with Ipswich, was 11 years ago, and ended with a whimper with the club 21st in the Championship.

But he also got Sunderland promoted to the Premier League in 2007 and still commands the respect - and sometimes fear - of his peers.

Of course, it may not work out at Hibs should he arrive at Easter Road, but it could be win-win. Gordon needs somebody to spark a talented squad into action, and Keane could be that man.

After Ross and Maloney on Hibs end, and an 11-year hiatus on Keane's, club and manager might as well find out.

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