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Manchester United captain Roy Keane surprised the club's fans by stating that he will leave after the season and play at least one more year at another club.
In February, the Irish national team midfielder said that he would retire after the 2005-2006 season, but now it seems that Keane has changed his mind.
The 34-year-old impulsive defensive midfielder had previously mentioned the possibility of playing for Glasgow Celtic.
"I would like to play for one or two more years, but I don't think I will do it at Man Utd," Keane said. "I would be very surprised if the club offered me a contract extension, and if they did, it would only be at the end of the season when I have already made a decision about my future."
"Everyone comes a time to move on, and I am prepared for that," the Irishman continued. "It would be interesting to feel a different atmosphere, to change the environment. However, I could not play in England because returning to Old Trafford and going to the away team's dressing room would be too painful for me."
Keane did not rule out starting a coaching career in the future but added that he would not want to coach teams in the lower English leagues.
Responding to this statement from the team captain, Man Utd's assistant coach Carlos Queiroz said the team would not even try to replace Keane.
"No one tried to replace Pele, Maradona, or Eusebio, so we will not try to replace a player like Keane," said the Portuguese.
However, C. Queiroz said he did not know if Sir Alex Ferguson would try to extend the contract with the team's captain, but added that the head coach would definitely talk to the team's veteran personally sooner or later.
Since 1993, when he came from Nottingham Forest, Roy Keane has played 480 matches in the Man Utd squad.
It is worth mentioning that indirectly, Alan Smith can be considered Keane's successor, as Man Utd coach Sir Alex Ferguson is trying to "convert" the forward into a defensive midfielder. It is in this position that Keane plays.
