Roy Keane Renews Ferguson Feud, Labels Ex-Boss 'Bad Smell' Clinging to United

Some feuds, it seems, only grow more bitter with time. Roy Keane has turned up the heat on his decades-old row with Sir Alex Ferguson, this time branding the legendary Scot a "bad smell" refusing to budge from Old Trafford.

Two decades have passed since Keane's acrimonious exit from Manchester United following his clash with Ferguson, yet the Irishman remains determined to ensure the world knows exactly how he feels about his former boss. He's previously made clear his preference for Brian Clough as his greatest managerial mentor—a pointed jab at Ferguson's legacy—and now he's gone further still.

Speaking on Sky Sports as United hunt for a new manager following Ruben Amorim's sacking, Keane suggested that Ferguson, now 84 and no longer drawing a salary despite his director status, wields too much say in proceedings. The same applies to David Gill, the former chief executive.

"You see who's making the decisions at Manchester United," Keane observed. "You still have Ferguson and David Gill hanging on like a bad smell."

The analysis went deeper than mere name-calling. Keane questioned the entire recruitment process, wondering aloud how United repeatedly backs the wrong managerial candidate only to part ways 12 to 14 months later. He emphasized the importance of reading character during interviews—looking someone in the eye to gauge whether they possess what it takes—rather than relying solely on trophy cabinets and experience.

"What happens when somebody walks in your dressing room?" he posed. "The top players sit and go, 'what have you got for us?' That's what the top lads do. And if you haven't got the answers, the players are going to eat you alive."

The question of who should actually get the job drew a clear answer from Keane: Eddie Howe. The Newcastle manager impressed him sufficiently to earn a ringing endorsement, with Keane praising his approach across his time at both St James' Park and Bournemouth.

"I like him, I like what he's doing," Keane said. "He's managed a lot of games—700 or 800—and he's still a young man. When his teams are at it, they'll play good football. I would be happy to see Howe go in there."

Howe may have his detractors, but in Keane's view, he ticks the boxes that matter most in the current United situation.