The Manchester United legend has been a key part of ITV’s punditry team at this summer’s World Cup
Roy Keane has admitted he once left a tournament early after becoming frustrated with his colleagues(Image: ITV)
Roy Keane has been a familiar face on television screens throughout this summer’s World Cup. But the Manchester United legend has previously admitted there was one tournament where he could not wait to leave.
Best known for his role as a pundit for Sky Sports, the outspoken Irishman has been delivering his trademark forthright opinions as part of ITV’s team in North America. The 54-year-old has also remained a regular fixture on the hugely popular Stick to Football podcast, hosted alongside former United team-mate Gary Neville and Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
Although he appears to be enjoying himself stateside, Keane has previously admitted that life on the road can quickly become too much. In fact, during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the former United skipper reached breaking point and flew home for a few days because his fellow pundits were “getting on my nerves”.
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The admission came during a Sky Bet-sponsored podcast episode when Micah Richards asked Keane whether he had enjoyed the tournament. “I think it’s been OK. It’s not been bad,” Keane replied.
“Even if you’re not working, gone to one or two games just as a football fan. We’ve been here three weeks remember. It’s been fine.”
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Neville then interrupted to reveal that Keane had quietly disappeared for a few days midway through the tournament. “Roy went home for four or five days as well actually. Went back,” the former Old Trafford favourite said.
Keane then explained exactly why he had decided to return home, admitting: “I had a break. I needed a break. My tolerance levels [were starting to go]. People getting on my nerves.”
Richards quickly asked: “Name names, who was getting on your nerves?” But Keane refused to reveal the identities of those responsible, joking: “How long have we got? How long have we got? Fellow pundits. I had a break.”
Neville was quick to defend himself, insisting he was not among those responsible for irritating his former team-mate. “It wasn’t me though,” he said.
“I can see when the tank’s filling up, it’s like one of those challenges in I’m a Celebrity Micah with Roy. You can see when the tank’s coming up to his head. You’ve got to get out of there.”
Keane jokingly replied: “You’re very cruel.” The United icon is no stranger to clashing with those around him.
Throughout his playing career, he became renowned for explosive dressing-room confrontations, most notably his infamous falling-out with then-Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, which saw him sensationally sent home from the World Cup in 2002.
Since moving into punditry, Keane has remained just as outspoken, regularly delivering brutally honest verdicts on key talking points.
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2026-07-13 15:28:58
