Roy Keane branded "a prat, a dreadful coach and an angry man" by former England player Gabby Agbonlahor

TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has called Roy Keane a “prat”, an “angry man”, and a “dreadful coach” in a sensational interview.

Speaking to Razed, Agbonlahor looked back on his time working with Keane during the Irishman’s spell as assistant coach at Aston Villa while. According to Agbonlahor, Keane struggled to deal with players that weren’t able to do the things that he found so easy as a player himself.

“He was okay when he first came in but the problem with top players becoming managers is that they can’t understand the squad of players aren’t (as good as) your squad of players you played with. He couldn’t understand that we couldn’t do what he did as a player as midfielders and defenders.

“I felt he was not a bully but very over the top with players and a few of the players didn’t have it off him. He ended up leaving because he couldn’t handle the fact that some players gave him some stick back. It was a shame because I was excited when he came but he was a dreadful coach and an angry man. The Roy Keane on Sky is completely different from the Roy Keane as a coach.”

Gabby Agbonlahor claimed he has

The former Villa striker also took aim at Keane for his comments about Erling Haaland after last month’s 0-0 draw between Manchester City and Arsenal. Keane was highly critical of his performance at the Etihad against the Gunners and labelled his general play as that of a League Two player.

Keane has subsequently defended his comments and has continued to encourage Haaland – who has scored 84 goals in 93 games at City – to improve his hold-up play and to get more involved in games when chances aren’t coming his way.

Agbonlahor believes Keane’s criticism was over the top and thinks the only reason Keane went in so hard in Haaland is because of the issues he had with his father Alfe-Inge during their playing days.

“He can be a bit of a prat sometimes. I worked with him at Aston Villa, and he can say a few things for the sake of it. His comments on Erling Haaland were clickbait comments because Haaland wasn’t bought to Manchester City and get involved.

“You’ve got Bernado Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Mateo Kovacic, and all of these players who can get into little holes, number 10 positions while Haaland was brought in to get goals and put it in the back of the net. Last season he was top goalscorer, this season he’s top goalscorer so what more do you want from him? Because his first touch might not be amazing or when he comes short, he may give it away?

“Look at the weekend, he gets the ball, and the defender thinks he’s going to go on his left foot, but scores with his right foot bottom corner.

“I bet Erling Haaland has seen this criticism and is laughing. Has it come from Roy Keane because of what he did to Erling Haaland’s father and the relationship there? Some people don’t forget things and they’ve got something against a family member and then have it against his son. Maybe that’s where it’s come from.

“When I watch Haaland yes, he may not get involved too much but that’s what he’s been told. Jack Grealish has been told to get the ball moving, and don’t dribble too much, Kevin de Bruyne looks for Haaland quickly in behind. They all have their positions and there is a reason they will win the Premier League and is a reason they won the treble. They’re not looking for double figures in build-up play, they all have their positions, and they all do their jobs.”

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