As Roy Keane settles into pre-season training at Sunderland fresh from completing his Pro Licence, the former Manchester United midfielder has spoken of a growing fraternity of Old Trafford legends who are making their first steps into coaching.

As the likes of Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer commence their studies for coaching credentials, Keane admits that he is proud that so many former teammates will be staying in the game.

Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Keane said: "Obviously Ole is now taking over the Reserve team manager at United, and I think he's been on his A-badge.

"I know Giggsy and Neville have been on the course, ex-teammates, Butty is in the process of doing his as well. I think it's fantastic, and again I've spoken to my players and said to them, 'when you get a chance in the summer, get your coaching qualifications'.

"In a sense I wish I'd probably done it earlier, but when you're young you probably get four or five weeks off and you just want to go on holiday. But as you get a bit older I think it helps, it helps with your own game and the players around you.

"Dwight is in the process of doing his B-badge, and I think a few of the guys (from The FA) have been up to see him. I think it's fantastic.

"In terms of Ole, I think it's great that he's doing it with the Reserve team at United. He's going to be working with very talented young boys. I think Ole was always going to go down that road."

In the immediate future, Keane will be locking horns with three former United players in the Premier League next season as Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and now Paul Ince are all working in the top flight.

Keane sees it as a credit to their hunger, and also the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson, that so many are managing Premier League sides.

"I'll be coming up against Incey, Sparky, Brucey, obviously Sir Alex Ferguson. Hopefully the likes of Giggsy, Gary and Ole when they get their qualifications, Henning obviously if he came to work over here in the future.

"Football's a small world, and I think it's great that these lads who have all had great careers want to put something back into the game.

"These lads certainly don't need the money, they probably don't need the hassles, but they obviously want to put something back into the game.

"And they have the hunger and the challenge. These lads could be putting their feet up on a beach, I probably wouldn't be any different, but that's not what life's all about - it's about putting back into the game and testing yourself against the likes of Sir Alex.

"With Sir Alex you're pitting your wits against one of the managers who will probably go down as one of the greatest. Maybe that's why so many players who have worked with him are now becoming coaches and managers, he has that effect.

"The same with Brucey, Incey and Sparky, and when I come up against them trust me the great thing is we'll shake hands before the game, but my God we'll want to beat eachother.

"I knew that when I was in the dressing room with these lads, I thought they were bloody good lads and good characters, and I'm delighted to see them all doing so well."