Roy Keane is often box office when he’s on punditry duty (Picture: Getty Images)
Former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch is confused by Roy Keane’s popularity as a pundit, saying the Manchester United legend ‘can be kind of an a**hole.’
Marsch had a short stint in charge of Leeds from 2022-23, having been in charge of New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig earlier in his career.
His spell in the Premier League wasn’t especially memorable. He did keep Leeds up in his first season in charge, but was dismissed in February last year with the Yorkshire side struggling near the foot of the table, going on to be relegated after the American had left.
One of Marsch’s observations while he was in England was the popularity of former Red Devils captain Keane for his television work.
The American doesn’t get why people like the ‘negative’ Irishman, saying Keane ‘can be kind of an a**hole’ on punditry duty.
It’s always interested me that people love Roy Keane so much, and his commentary,’ Marsch said on the Up Front podcast. ‘I think Roy can be kind of an a**hole.
‘There’s something about English culture — that kind of negative, edgy, cutting… that’s the truth. He says it like it is.
Jesse Marsch left Leeds last year and has not taken on a new role since (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I will tell you, our (American) truth is we believe we can achieve great things. We believe in ourselves. If people want to knock us down, that almost drives us more.
‘When I have positive takes on certain things, that’s not me trying to be something different of trying to be American. This is how I feel.’
Former Leeds and Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was asked abotu what it is like to work with Keane on Sky Sports and the Dutchman said the Irishman is not the misery he sometimes acts.
‘Roy is Roy! Behind the scenes he’s a very cool guy who jokes. He’s got a dry (sense) of humour,’ Hasselbaink told The Mirror.
‘He’s not somebody that will dance and all that kind of stuff, that’s not Roy. But Roy’s a cool guy. I love working with him and we always have fun and a laugh.’
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