Wolves' former Sunderland ace Greg Halford has launched an astonishing verbal attack on Ipswich boss Roy Keane, and revealed that there is a startling personality clash between the pair.

In a revelation that is sure to shock the football world, the former Colchester man has claimed that Keane's abilities as a manager are a far cry from his brilliance on the pitch as a player.

Indeed Halford has been positively scathing in his assessment of the Irishman's abilities as a gaffer. His timely comments are sure to have struck a chord with Ipswich fans who have witnessed the former Sunderland boss guide their team to an absolutely dreadful start to the season in the Championship.

A controversial character on the pitch, Keane has remained outspoken since turning his hand to management. He has had varying success since swapping the turf for the dugout - leading Sunderland to the Championship title in 2007, but then jumping ship when the going got tough at the Stadium of Light.

Halford, 24, returns to the North East this weekend with his current club Wolves, and has spilled the beans on his time at Sunderland under Keane.

The versatile man says that communication was at an all time low when Keane was at the helm.

"One thing I always said about ‘Keano’ was that his man-management was non-existent. He didn’t like players coming up to his office and talking about things. I wanted to speak my mind and say ‘why aren’t I playing?’

“I’d been training well and playing well in the reserves and that was the toughest thing. Every player at Sunderland under ‘Keano’ would tell you the same that it was difficult to talk to him.

"It turned into a personal thing between the two of us,” he said.