Roy Keane’s story about Brian Clough punching him is gold | OneFootball

Even though it may have benefitted them, Sunderland’s players probably breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that Roy Keane wouldn’t be their new manager.

Keane was reportedly close to accepting the job before talks broke down at the last minute. The Black Cats eventually appointed Alex Neil instead.

While Keane is a hugely entertaining pundit – and very popular with viewers, too – you can image him upsetting the modern footballer if he was to ever work in management again. The former Manchester United captain never holds back and can, at times, be brutal.

Keane played under two of the fiercest managers in British football history during his illustrious career: Brian Clough and, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Fergie famously fell out with the Irishman in 2005, leading to Keane’s abrupt departure from Old Trafford, but at least the legendary ex-United boss never punched his captain – unlike Clough.

Keane’s account of the day Clough punched him sums the man up perfectly.

First of all, let’s look at the incident that led to Keane receiving a whack from his manager.

In his debut season with Nottingham Forest, a misplaced back-pass from Keane led to Crystal Palace’s John Salako scoring a goal from distance. The game ended 2-2, which meant a replay.

“When I walked into the dressing room after the game, Clough punched me straight in the face,” Keane recounted in his first autobiography, per JOE.

“‘Don’t pass the ball back to the goalkeeper,’ he screamed as I lay on the floor, him standing over me. I was hurt and shocked, too shocked to do anything but nod my head in agreement. My honeymoon with Clough and professional football was over.”

Roy Keane on the day Brian Clough punched him

Years later, Keane told the story while on stage with his former United teammate Gary Neville, who was in stitches along with the audience listening to the Premier League legend.

“You’re on about motivating. Brian Clough, and it’s well documented, punched me after a game one night with Crystal Palace in the cup,” Keane said.

“I know you’re laughing, it’s funny… Brian Clough was a genius.

“Did I take it that badly off him? I just went… no,  he was upset, he was heated. He punched me but I remember thinking… ‘Ah, I still think you’re a brilliant manager’.

“I came in the next day and I trained. I didn’t text anyone in the media or ring somebody or go on WhatsApp or Twitter, whatever they go on and said ‘somebody’s punched me’.

“I just went, ‘the manager’s upset’. You take it, you take it. I’m not changing my ways for nobody.”

You’ve got to love Keano.

If anything, his respect for Clough increased after he was punched in the face by the iconic manager, who sadly passed away in 2004.

Keane is built differently to most – and that’s why we all love him.