Jason McAteer and Roy Keane’s rivalry dates back more than 20 years, fueled by Premier League battles and clashes on the international stage. McAteer, who played for Liverpool and later Sunderland, found himself repeatedly in Keane’s crosshairs, especially during matches between Manchester United and his teams.
Their confrontations often spilled into the media, creating a long-standing tension between the two former teammates from the Republic of Ireland. The feud escalated around the 2002 World Cup, when Keane controversially left the Irish squad before the tournament due to disagreements over training and facilities.
McAteer sided with manager Mick McCarthy, further souring relations. Keane later described McAteer as “too fond of himself more interested in hair gel and nightclubs than winning football matches,” cementing their mutual dislike.
A high point of their on-field battles came during a 1-1 Premier League draw between Sunderland and Manchester United. McAteer openly admitted that he deliberately “pressed the buttons,” which made Keane lose his temper and receive a red card, highlighting the bitter nature of their rivalry. After that match, the pair went two decades without speaking.
How the Fallout Began
McAteer recalls the exact moment that started their 20-year silence. In the Premier League clash, Keane had just criticized him in his autobiography and continued to provoke him during the match. McAteer responded bluntly, telling Keane to “put it in your book, kn*bhead.”
In the closing moments of that game, Keane elbowed McAteer and received a red card, intensifying their animosity. “We didn’t speak for 20 years,” McAteer explained, highlighting how even media appearances and interviews were marked by subtle digs and public sparring.
During that long silence, both men continued to carve out respected punditry careers. McAteer remained a familiar voice across talkSPORT, LFCTV, and beIN Sports, while Keane became known for his blunt and confrontational style, cementing their reputations as passionate and uncompromising football figures.
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The Unexpected Gesture in a Café
Despite the decades of bad blood, McAteer revealed a surprising act of goodwill by Keane that hinted the feud may be thawing. While in a café with his wife, McAteer noticed Keane nearby with his family. After leaving, McAteer discovered that Keane had quietly paid for his meal, a gesture that left him emotional. “I got dead emotional as I thought, had I wasted 20 years?” McAteer said.
The moment was made even more humorous by Jamie Carragher acting as the middleman. When McAteer asked for Keane’s number to thank him, Carragher relayed Keane’s response he accepted the thanks, but McAteer wasn’t getting his phone number. The story highlights Keane’s characteristic mix of thoughtfulness and bluntness.
Feud Resolved But Don’t Expect Team-Ups Soon
Even after the surprising café gesture, it seems unlikely the pair will collaborate in punditry anytime soon. Keane stays outspoken and fiery, recently taking a public shot at Michael Carrick’s wife, while McAteer continues to provide measured analysis across various media platforms.
Their careers post-retirement reflect their personalities McAteer as an approachable and analytical pundit, Keane as a forthright, uncompromising voice. While the personal feud may be partially buried, their professional worlds remain separate.
Still, the café moment demonstrates that even the longest-running football rivalries can hold unexpected moments of human connection. For McAteer, it was a reminder that 20 years of tension could, in an instant, shift with one small act of generosity. Stay tuned for more interesting football discussions only on footballcoasters.co.uk.