Roy Keane is reading nothing into the fact there are no English sides in the Champions League semi-finals.
Ipswich boss expects country's elite to impress in Europe again
Roy Keane is reading nothing into the fact there are no English sides in the semi-finals of this year's UEFA Champions League.
Premier League sides have dominated Europe's prestigious club cup competition in recent years with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all reaching the final four last season.
It is the first time in seven seasons that an English side has failed to reach the semi-finals, but Keane does not believe that is any reason to worry about the state of the game.
The country has lost numerous characters in recent years like Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho and the Ipswich boss believes everyone has suffered slightly as a result.
Manchester United were dumped out of Europe by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, just 24 hours after Barcelona thrashed Arsenal but Keane feels that is just how it goes.
No worries
"That's the way it goes. That's football," he told
Sky Sports News. "I think last year they had three of the last four teams. That's football.
"You get disappointments and you deal with it. These three teams, they will be back next year, don't worry about it.
"I don't think it's a case of people being overly worried or panicking. I think it's the first time that's happened in seven years.
"These things happen. The teams that are through aren't bad. It's not as though the teams in the semi-finals are bad.
"They are four very, very, good teams with good experience, who have got top managers and top, top players.
"They are good teams, don't kid yourself. I don't think there's much wrong with the state of English football.
"Some good players have left like Ronaldo. We need to keep these players if we can in the Premier League.
"Even Mourinho, you miss these characters. I said that when they left, even though there's good money coming into the country.
"These players, characters and managers, you miss them. We all do."
Pressure
Some were unhappy with Bayern players for surrounding referee Nicola Rizzoli prior to Rafael da Silva picking up a second yellow card for hauling back Franck Ribery.
The dismissal of the Brazilian full-back proved crucial as Bayern progressed on away goals, but Keane insists the tactics of pressurising referees is nothing new.
"It goes on every weekend," he concluded. "It's been going on for years. I don't think anyone should be too upset about it.
"If it's a second booking then players are going to say that to the referee. Referees are under pressure every weekend.
"There's a lot of managers who say referees have been put under pressure, but they do that as well with their comments before the game.
"I was led to believe that this was not to be allowed, but other managers talk about officials before the game."
