"For me, the jury's still out on Wayne. I think he's got a hell of a lot to do. Wayne has achieved nothing . . . and would probably say that himself. I would judge players over a few years rather than one or two. He's got potential, like I've got potential to be a good manager. Potential is one thing, doing it is another."

And Keane does not spare his former boss Alex Ferguson from criticism. Keane's interview with the Manchester United TV station in October 2005 was pulled from transmission, and three weeks later he parted company with United. He claims Ferguson was influenced by figures within the club.

"I was seeing players doing stuff off the pitch . . . had the feeling it was affecting them . . . and it came to a head with that defeat. Yes, I nailed certain people. I took the publicity with a pinch of salt, senior figures at the club should've done the same.

"In the end, the manager was swayed by certain people he works with."