'I should have ripped his head off': Roy Keane reveals he clashed with Iran coach Carlos Queiroz during their time together at Manchester United

  • Carlos Queiroz had two separate spells as Manchester United assistant coach 
  • Roy Keane revealed he clashed with Queiroz during his second stint at United
  • Ex-United captain Keane was speaking during his role as an ITV pundit in Russia
  • Queiroz is currently with Iran, who he has managed since 2011, at the World Cup

Roy Keane has divulged his tumultuous relationship with former Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz, claiming he should have 'ripped his head off' while the pair were together at Old Trafford.

Queiroz was Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at United for one season from 2002 until 2003 before he seized the opportunity to take over as Real Madrid manager. 

But following an unsuccessful spell in charge at the Bernabeu, Queiroz rejoined United's coaching staff under Ferguson in the summer of 2004.

Roy Keane watches Carlos Queiroz during the Portuguese coach's second spell at Old Trafford

Roy Keane watches Carlos Queiroz during the Portuguese coach's second spell at Old Trafford

And Keane, who was United's captain at the time, revealed he clashed with the Portuguese coach during his second spell after he questioned his loyalty.


'He's an excellent coach along with a lot of great coaches I worked under at United,' Keane said during ITV's coverage of Spain's World Cup clash with Iran, who Queiroz manages. 

'He was probably a bit defence-minded but I had a good relationship with him, particularly in his first spell at the club.

'But his second spell when he came back and towards the end of my time I found him really disrespectful towards me so we had a bit of a fall out.

'He questioned my loyalty and I told him where to go. One of my big regrets is that I probably should have ripped his head off. But he's an excellent coach doing an excellent job.'

Queiroz has taken Iran to successive World Cups for the first time in the nation's history

Queiroz has taken Iran to successive World Cups for the first time in the nation's history

Keane says he clashed with Queiroz at Manchester United when his loyalty was questioned

Keane says he clashed with Queiroz at Manchester United when his loyalty was questioned

Co-pundit Patrice Evra, who also worked under Queiroz at United, added: 'Carlos is someone who you feel like never smiles. 

'His training sessions are perfect but even when he left United, tactically it was not the same. As a person he’s really difficult, I will say.'

Keane left United by mutual consent in November 2005 after clashing with Ferguson, but Queiroz remained assistant until 2008, when he took over as Portugal manager.

Queiroz has been Iran manager since 2011 and has led them to successive World Cup tournaments for the first time in their history after qualifying for Russia.  

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