Luis Enrique could be set for awkward reunion with Man Utd hardman Roy Keane if he becomes Chelsea manager
LUIS ENRIQUE could be set for an awkward reunion with Roy Keane if he takes over as Chelsea manager.
SunSport revealed the ex-Spain boss emerged as a frontrunner for the vacancy at Stamford Bridge following Graham Potter’s sacking.
He held positive talks with Todd Boehly in London today before flying back to his homeland.
And he is ready to become Chelsea’s next permanent gaffer – with Frank Lampard set to take over as a stop-gap solution until the end of the season.
But should Enrique, 52, arrive in the summer, it surely will not be long before he comes across Keane working for Sky Sports.
The hardman former Manchester United captain, 51, has turned into an equally-no-nonsense pundit.
But it was during a pre-season clash way back in August 2003 that Keane lived up to his fiery reputation.
In a so-called friendly, the Irishman put in a meaty challenge on Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes after he had already grabbed the ball with both hands.
A long-haired Valdes writhed around on the floor in agony clutching his head.
And his Barcelona team-mates Carles Puyol and skipper Enrique were quickly on the scene to make their feelings known to Keane, who typically refused to back down.
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The Red Devils skipper, unsurprisingly unremorseful, got a yelllow card for his very robust challenge.
And he had the last laugh in Philadelphia as United ran out 3-1 winners thanks to a Diego Forlan double and a Ruud van Nistelrooy strike.
However, they later did agree on one thing – David De Gea.
Enrique dropped the United goalkeeper from his Spain squad and Keane believed it was the right call, urging Erik ten Hag to do the same.
Enrique spent five years at Real Madrid before making the controversial move directly from the Bernabeu to the Nou Camp in 1996.
The attacking midfielder went on to make 300 appearances for Barca up to his retirement in 2004, winning two LaLiga crowns.
He then stepped into management, starting with Barcelona B in 2008, replacing Pep Guardiola, before spells with Roma, Celta Vigo, Barcelona and two stints with Spain, leaving after the Qatar 2022 World Cup.