Italian job? Keane would fit bill for Fiorentina and Inter

ROY KEANE’S sudden exit from Old Trafford may have stunned English football, but it has had a slightly different effect abroad, where there are likely to be several significant clubs looking at the options.

Excluding clubs that would not be able to afford his salary, the biggest interest is sure to be in Italy, where Keane has numerous admirers, and where his experience and man-marking ability are both highly valued.

While Keane’s age might be against him elsewhere, that does not apply in Italy, as there are defenders who three or four years older still at top clubs. Other possibilities would include Monaco and Stuttgart, or even Real Madrid in view of the doubts about their existing defensive midfield players.

Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport, describing Keane’s departure as “like a piece of theatre”, points out that retirement is the least likely option and that several Italian clubs could well be interested.

One of them will certainly be Fiorentina, currently third in Serie A and with ambitions to play in the Champions League. The club has already announced it will be looking for quality reinforcements in January, and in particular for an experienced defensive midfield player who can provide direction for a side that is inexperienced by Italian standards.

Manager Cesare Prandelli, one of Italy’s best young coaches, is known to like Keane’s approach to the game. Once a bit of rebel himself, he insists on the team ethic, and on all 11 players being prepare to defend.

Another alternative may be Inter, who have suffered from the lack of a ball-winner in midfield. Christian Zanetti can fill that role for them, but there have been strong rumours that he will move to Juventus in January. The question perhaps is whether Keane would want to team up again with Juan Sebastian Veron, although Veron will almost certainly return to Argentina next summer.

Outside Italy there are two clubs with managers who have publicly expressed their liking for Keane.

One is Francesco Guidolin, who recently replaced Didier Deschamps at Monaco. In the past, Guidolin has identified Keane and Milan defender Alessandro Nesta as two of the three players he would most like to sign, given the funds.

Legendary former Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni, now at Stuttgart, has been admirer of Keane since his early days at Nottingham Forest. “I always want a player like him in my team,” he says. “He is someone who’s always present at difficult moments.”