Keane is perfect material for management, says Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton, in Dublin to launch a Barclaycard credit card, says the midfielder has all the attributes to become a successful coach.
“I have spoken to Roy about his coaching future, he got his first coaching licenses during the summer and he is the type of man who would make a good manager. He has got authority, he has got the respect of the players and he has got the game in his head.”
However, Keane remains the heartbeat of the current United side and Charlton is not looking forward to the day the Cork man calls it a day. “When it comes to United, I am selfish. I don’t want to see Roy go into management. He is our player and I want him to continue as our player for as long as is humanly possible.”
The idea of Keane managing United at some stage has developed as his maturity has grown in the past couple of seasons. “Roy is a self-made man, he is his own man and nobody will tell him what to do,” said the Old Trafford director. “He will play as long as he can because he only wants to play and he will think of management somewhere down the line. And if he wants to do it, he will do it.”
Charlton admitted replacing Keane on the pitch will be an almost impossible task. “I have the greatest admiration for his ability, his desire, his motivational ability, his drive. I cannot complain about anything Roy Keane does for United. His passing ability, his overall quality. When the time comes, it will be very difficult for us to replace him, but I am not even talking about replacing him. He is still our player. We have had a lot of great players at United and he is among the very best.”
The latest Irish prospect is young Dubliner Paul McShane, the captain of the FA Youth Cup winning side last year. As the talented defender is only 17, Charlton wanted to keep a lid on the hype. “He is still in the process of learning the business, but I have no doubt when the time is right Alex will bring him travelling with the first team squad. The way Alex Ferguson keeps it all going, keeps bringing new, young players in that freshens the team, that is one of his most amazing qualities.”
Charlton arrived in Dublin yesterday amid continuing speculation regarding the home venue for Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers this year - with Old Trafford an option. “I hadn’t heard much about it until I came here, but it is definitely an option. I think the first qualifying game is on in September, so there should be no problem with the pitch. And playing at Old Trafford, playing in Manchester, would be like a home game for Ireland.”
The launch of a Manchester United credit card onto the Irish market will be further ammunition to those who believe big business is stripping Sir Matt Busby’s way of its soul, but Charlton defended the corporate side of United.
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