Roy Keane makes final decision on Sky Sports return after 'quit' threat and two incidents

Roy Keane will return to our screens this season after Sky Sports made changes to keep their star pundit happy.

Keane has been one of the biggest names in the Sky studio for their Premier League coverage in recent years. The former Manchester United captain has established a reputation as one of the most outspoken commentators on the game while winning over fans with his dry sense of humour.

However, the Irishman voiced his displeasure with some aspects of the role last season and has outlined his plans to move abroad in the coming years. Keane was headbutted by an Arsenal supporter while working for Sky Sports at the Emirates Stadium in September 2023 and was involved in a row with an Ipswich fan in November 2024.

After signing him up for another season, his employers have promised not to put him in harm's way again. “It’s our responsibility to make sure we don’t expose any of our team to those sorts of incidents,” said Jonathan Licht, Sky’s chief sports officer. “He loves being part of the big games and we hope that will continue long into this deal.”

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Gary Hughes, director of football at Sky Sports, added: “Roy is a great guy, you want him on your team. He’s had a few incidents in the last couple of seasons, with Arsenal and Ipswich, and it does affect him. But ultimately he wants to be involved in the biggest games. He wants to be at Old Trafford for Manchester United against Arsenal.”

The news of Keane’s retention comes as Sky announced their new-look plan for the 2025/26 Premier League season, in which they will show 215 matches – up from 128 last season. The broadcaster will share presenters Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman with BBC’s Match of the Day, with the main change seeing an NFL Red Zone-style ‘Multiview’ brought in.

The idea will see as many as five games shown live at once, with pundits jumping from match to match. There is also a new reaction show called Extra Time, which will be fronted by Jamie Carragher.

Keeping Keane is undoubtedly a boost for Sky Sports after his comments over the past years. Speaking on the Overlap, while in Turin, he said: "In the next couple of years, I reckon I will be moving abroad... putting it out there”. Asked where he replied: "Do you know what, Switzerland, maybe? Switzerland is beautiful."

Meanwhile, last August, Keane expressed his intention to retire from punditry within the next decade. He said: "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 headbutting 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, no."

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