Manchester United legend Roy Keane admitted that he “never understood” one thing players did before a match when he was a coach for the Republic of Ireland.
Roy Keane had a prolific impact during his time at Old Trafford under legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 52-year-old Irishman was widely revered for his leadership skills and Keane excelled as captain after he inherited the armband from Eric Cantona in 1997.
Keane was a commanding box-to-box midfielder during his illustrious spell at United and played a key part in the Red Devils’ iconic treble win in 1999.
The Irish hardman had a formidable reputation for his no-nonsense approach both on the pitch and off it, with Keane leaving a long-lasting impact on the sport.
Following the end of his professional playing career in 2006, Keane entered the world of coaching and went on to manage Sunderland and Ipswich Town.
The United legend’s spell at Ipswich Town ended in 2011 and he later served as assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Baffled Keane hits out at what players do
Roy Keane appeared on the latest Stick to Football show alongside Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney and Arsenal hero Ian Wright.
The former United captain opened up about his time as assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland and his deep dislike for football masseurs.
Keane admitted that one “lad” had his own personal masseur and was baffled by what he saw, with the United legend venting his feelings in an explosive rant.
The Sky Sports pundit insisted that he would scrap football masseurs altogether if he had the chance, having seen players commit to massages before matches.
“I never understood lads who would have a massage right before the match,” he said on The Overlap.
“When we used to work with Ireland, there was a lad who had his own guy come with us.
“I used to look at him before the match, going into a big game, and he would be having a proper massage like you would if you were away with your wife for a weekend, he would be getting his back done, and I was like – you cannot be ready to go into battle.
“He would be coming off the bench, after getting a massage for like 40 minutes, and he’s all kind of woozy – baby oil everywhere!
“He’s like, ‘Oh, I need a massage, like mentally…’ well, stop getting a massage, you’re f*****g useless.
“I say to all of these players: when you were younger, were you getting massages? When you were 16 or 17? – no, you weren’t.
“Now everyone thinks that if you don’t get a massage before training, then you can’t play properly.
“These masseurs, I would get rid of all of them.”
Man Utd legend Keane rants against masseurs
Keane argued that he didn’t like the culture that masseurs set at football clubs and how some players would become close to them.
The former Ipswich and Sunderland boss insisted that masseurs are “not important” at all and he would axe “every one of them” from football.
“They’d be wearing their headphones as if they were players, coming off the bus and you’re thinking, ‘Just relax, oh my God,’” he said.
“‘Anyone selling their car?’ – they’d try and buy the player’s cars on the cheap, and you’re like, lads, relax.
“What happens to them [masseuses] they become mates with them [players], play golf with them and then they think they’re a coach, a manager and best buddies with all the players and before you know it they’re an agent, advising them.
“Do you know what else they do? They hang around and get players’ boots. They end up having loads of boots and the lads’ trainers – scavengers in the dressing room.
“Get rid of all the masseurs, every one of them. You have managers going, ‘They’re really important’ – they are not important.”