Former Aston Villa assistant manager Roy Keane could be covering his final World Cup match this week after revealing his desire to quit punditry and move to Switzerland. Keane was assistant to Paul Lambert during a tough time for Villa and left without making any real impact on changing the fortunes at Villa Park. However, the decorated former Manchester United playing legend has seen his career take off in another direction as an ITV and Sky Sports pundit.
Keane's Punditry Career and Move Abroad Plans
Keane is also a household name on The Overlap, regularly appearing alongside Jill Scott, Ian Wright, Jamie Carragher and ex-teammate Gary Neville. In an episode recorded in 2024, the 54-year-old admitted he was mulling an overseas move, stating: "In the next couple of years, I reckon I will be moving abroad... putting it out there." With that "couple of years" window closing at the end of 2026, could this weekend represent Keane's swansong World Cup outing for ITV? When pressed on where he might settle, Keane offered: "Do you know what, Switzerland, maybe? Switzerland is beautiful."
Motivation to Leave Punditry
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane expanded on his motivation to walk away from punditry, explaining: "I love football, but the hassle of matches, getting to games, and the hassle of fans - I was in court a few months ago with somebody head-butting me - do you think I enjoy that side of it? Absolutely not. The games are fine. Getting to the games, parking up, people shouting your name - good stuff, bad stuff - it's a nuisance. Being a pundit in 10 years, not."
Keane's World Cup Comments and England
Earlier this summer, Keane joked that he'd be packing his bags and leaving Britain if England had won this year's World Cup. During Sky Bet's World Cup mini-series, the ex-United captain said: "I don't want England winning it!" "But obviously when we're working over there, and you're ITV, you want (them to do well). And you know they're gonna get through the knockout games, and when they're getting through, there's a bit of excitement. And that's when I start to get worried, when it's semis and finals. 'Please, stop now! Get them out now!'" When Micah Richards asked what he'd do if the Three Lions claimed victory, Keane replied: "No, I'd be emigrating to Australia." England were beaten 2-1 by Argentina on Wednesday night and will now contest the third-place play-off against France. However, if the former Ireland international sticks to his previously announced retirement plans, he could be bidding farewell to both Sky Sports and ITV once the World Cup concludes.
Keane's Comments on John McGinn
Keane upset Villa fans at the World Cup when he likened skipper John McGinn to a 'pub player', comments that he later clarified. Keane acknowledged that McGinn has been central to Villa’s recent success, but also said that when he is not at the top of his game that he looks like a "pub player", which sparked a backlash. Keane said on The Overlap: "He’s one of these fellas, when he’s bad, when he has his bad days, he does look like a pub player. When he’s off it, he’s shocking. When he’s bad, wow. I’ve watched him long enough. And the stats are, when he’s in the team week in week out, you go ‘if these managers all like him…'"
McGinn's Response and Keane's Clarification
McGinn lifted the Europa League trophy with Villa recently, having played a crucial role in helping the club qualify for the Champions League just weeks earlier. Asked by ITV about Keane’s comments, McGinn said: "I didn’t think what he said was that bad! He followed it up with something complimentary. He was right. I actually think the amount of games that I’m looking at a pub player is becoming less and less as I get older. I try and not have as many games like that and be more consistent. I don’t think it was too bad. People were saying: ‘Did you see what he said?’ I just thought it was quite nice that they were talking about me!" Keane spoke about McGinn again, this time in more glowing terms. "If you asked me if I would be in the trenches with John McGinn, you bet your life I would," Keane said on ITV. "I have huge time for him. A brilliant player. Sometimes you make a tongue in cheek comment - it was no disrespect to the player. I think he is outstanding."
