Manchester United legend Roy Keane has revealed how a “mistake” almost led to him heading to Blackburn Rovers instead of Old Trafford.
Keane, speaking on Sky Bet’s Stick to Football, revealed how he did “dumb” things early in his career, one of which almost saw him jeopardize his move to United. The former midfielder joined the Red Devils in 1993 from Nottingham Forest and became a legend at Old Trafford. However, the former Ireland international has hinted that he could have been very different.
The Sky Sports and ITV pundit has revealed that a contract detail almost meant he headed to Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn rather than joining Sir Alex Ferguson. Keane described how a relegation release clause and a disagreement with then-Forest manager Brian Clough meant he was not far from missing out on a move to United.
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“I looked at the senior players at (Nottingham) Forest and learned things, but I also made mistakes. I had to make mistakes, I had to do stupid things in Nottingham, but I was 19 so I was going to do it. those mistakes,” Keane said.
The former United captain also spoke about how he went through a “rollercoaster” in his days at Forest after experiencing big ups and downs for such a young player. He also talked about how he was starting to learn the “business” side of the game, which led him to make the mistake that almost cost him a move to United.
“I was learning my trade, but before I knew it, I was on the Irish team and had played between 110 and 120 games (professionally). I was laying the foundation for my career,” Keane said. “I went through a roller coaster of losing the FA Cup final in my first year (with Nottingham Forest), in my second season (Manchester) United beat us in the League Cup final, and in my third season we were relegated and I had just signed a new contract a few years ago and was starting to learn the business side of football,” he added.
Without an agent, a young Keane fell out with legendary manager Clough over a pay dispute and was even accused by the Forest manager of being “greedy”. Keane, who began his career at Cobh Ramblers in Cork, told how he not only faced a lot of pressure for a new deal at Forest but insisted on making his contract himself – which is why he included the fateful clause that almost ruined his move. . to United.
“At Forest, I made the contract myself and made sure I included a clause because it looked like we were going to be relegated,” Keane said. “There was a lot of pressure on me at the time, as a young player, and Brian Clough was saying I was being greedy, but I had been on the same money for about two and a half years. I had been playing for Ireland and week in, week out (for Forest). and earned between £700 and £800 a week.” he added.
“So when they said they would like me to sign a new deal, I stood firm and said I wanted £250,000. Brian Clough said they couldn’t give me that money. But when it came down to it, the contract situation, I remember thinking I wasn’t going to do it.” to give in,” Keane added. “I did well for the club and I wanted £250,000. In the end I got it and I put in a clause that said if we were relegated I could leave for £3.5m.”
The seven-time Premier League title winner revealed his mistake in installing the clause was what led to Rovers offering more money than United for the Cork man. “The mistake I made was that I would go for £3.5m, but after September 1, which was after the European deadline. That’s why United had to give a bit more (money) to get the deal done,” he said, before adding: “Blackburn offered £4m so I almost signed there.”
Keane, who made 114 appearances for Forest, spoke about how he met Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish to discuss terms about joining Rovers. Forest had agreed to let Dalglish’s team take the lead on the transfer, as they were at the time offering the most money for the young Irish international.
“I signed my contract at Nottingham Forest and obviously we got relegated, so over the summer I met up with Blackburn and Kenny Dalglish; They agreed a £4 million contract with Forest. “Nottingham Forest were delighted because Blackburn were giving an extra £500,000, they didn’t want to wait until September 1 (for my release clause) as they wanted me for pre-season,” Keane said.
The former Republic of Ireland captain also made it clear that he asked for a pay rise should he move to Blackburn because he wanted to match Alan Shearer’s salary at the club. He then accepted the deal, however a forced delay at the weekend changed the trajectory of Keane’s career forever.
“I had £250,000 at Forest and Kenny (Dalglish) said they could give me £400,000. I think I initially asked for £500,000 because I heard Shearer was into it,” Keane said. “It was a good pay rise, and I was sitting in an office and said, ‘Okay, I’ll do the deal.'” It was a Friday night and they (Blackburn) said the people in the office had left, so “We couldn’t draw up the contract, so I flew back home and said we’d fix it next week.”
A return trip to Cork followed by a night out to celebrate his move to Blackburn was cut short when Sir Alex Ferguson contacted Keane to declare his intentions of wanting to sign the then 22-year-old. “I flew back to Cork, went out on Saturday night and had a good time because I was going to Blackburn and I was getting a good pay rise. “Sunday morning I’m in bed, not in good shape, my mum comes over and says Alex Ferguson is on the phone for you,” Keane said.
“He said he had been trying to talk to me and I told him I had agreed to go to Blackburn. Alex Ferguson asked me if I had signed anything, I hadn’t so he asked me to meet him. I flew to Manchester on Monday to meet him and I went to Ferguson’s house.”
Far from being a foregone conclusion, Keane revealed that he felt he should give United and Ferguson credit for speaking to them, but was well aware that he was putting his big move to Rovers at risk, especially as he was carrying out negotiations without guidance in the form of an agent. “I had to take a step back and realize that I should at least speak to Manchester United. This was all without an agent and I was also jeopardizing the deal with Blackburn,” Keane said.
“This went on for months and I had to go back to pre-season with Forest because United didn’t want to match Blackburn’s (offer). United’s point would have been that my clause was £3.5m, but Forest said that was It was after September 1, so if you wanted to close the deal before then (you would have to match Blackburn).”
Keane then received outside help with the situation which began to lead him towards Old Trafford. It looked like Keane would head to Ewood Park to work with Dalglish, however a late intervention from United meant Keane had an important decision to make.
“I finally got someone to help me with the contracts. Blackburn said they would give me £400,000 and United at the time were giving me £300,000. “United were saying they could do a deal with Forest, so be patient with them, but I was putting the deal with Blackburn in jeopardy,” Keane said.
It was then former Leeds-United manager David O’Leary who imparted some wisdom to the young Keane in the guise of a London-based lawyer. An expert’s opinion proved decisive for Keane, with the lawyer demonstrating some negotiating skills that helped maneuver the young Irishman into the direction of Old Trafford.
“I remember being out with the international team and talking to some of the players, explaining that Blackburn had offered me £400,000 but United were at £300,000. David O’Leary was there and told me I could use Michael Kennedy, a lawyer in London, which had fulfilled all its contracts,” Keane said.
“I rang him that night, explained the situation and asked him to speak to Martin Edwards for me and he rang me again the next day and told me United would raise £350,000. I told him I would go to United.” he added, concluding the story of how he almost lost his dream race.
Keane played 326 games for the Red Devils and scored 33 goals. During his time at United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Keane won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, Community Shields and the Champions League in 1999, famous for being one of three cups won in the iconic treble season. He then left Manchester United in 2005 to join Celta.
