Roy Keane, the legendary Manchester United captain, has voiced sharp concerns regarding recent coaching appointments at the club. His skepticism centers on the inclusion of Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate within Michael Carrick’s interim staff, questioning the rationale behind these decisions.
Michael Carrick stepped into the role of interim manager, preparing for a crucial Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Alongside experienced coach Steve Holland, he brought in Woodgate and, surprisingly, Evans – a move that immediately drew Keane’s critical eye.
Keane directly challenged the swift re-integration of Evans, who had recently transitioned from a loans manager position within the club. He pointedly questioned the circumstances surrounding Evans’ departure and subsequent return to a first-team coaching role under both Darren Fletcher and now Carrick.
The core of Keane’s argument lies in Evans’ limited top-level coaching experience. He highlighted a recent holiday shared between Carrick and Evans in Barbados, suggesting a potential influence beyond professional merit. “He’s on the beach two weeks ago, Jonny Evans,” Keane remarked, “then Fletch gives him a job…great isn’t it?”
Keane didn’t hold back in expressing his disbelief. He emphasized the rapid promotion, questioning what Evans had demonstrably achieved to warrant a position coaching Manchester United’s first team after just weeks in a different role within the organization.
The situation echoes past decisions at Manchester United, where former players like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were entrusted with leadership roles. While acknowledging that such appointments *can* work, Keane cautioned that they are far from guaranteed success, referencing Fletcher’s brief caretaker spell and underwhelming results.
Keane’s frustration stemmed from what he perceived as a disparity in scrutiny. While Holland’s extensive experience was praised, he felt the lack of a comparable track record for Evans and Woodgate was being overlooked, seemingly justified by Holland’s presence. “You’re saying you don’t know anything about Jonny Evans’ coaching, because he’s never coached!” he exclaimed.
Carrick himself lauded Holland’s “unbelievable wealth of experience” and described Woodgate as “loyal and very knowledgeable,” emphasizing the balance they would bring to his team. However, Keane remained unconvinced, highlighting the potential pitfalls of prioritizing familiarity over proven coaching ability.
Keane’s pointed questions and unwavering critique underscore a deep concern about the long-term strategy at Manchester United, suggesting a pattern of relying on past connections rather than building a foundation of qualified, experienced coaching staff.
