Roy Keane: Why Most In Football Are Glad To See Him Fail

Mark Bateman by Scribe Written on October 05, 2009
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22:  Roy Keane, manager of Ipswich Town looks on during the Coca-Cola Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Ipswich Town at The Hawthorns on August 22, 2009 in West Bromwich, England.  (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Apart from the obvious, namely Manchester Utd, Nottingham Forest, half of Ireland and a couple of Ipswich Town fans. Is there anyone in football upset to see Roy Keane failing so spectacularly at Portman Road? The answer from most people is a firm no!

That fact is hardly surprising when you are a man who admitted to deliberately going out to end a fellow professional's career or when you throw a massive hissy fit at a World Cup finals or make light of one of your players after they suffer from a heart attack.

When Keane was unveiled as Sunderland boss by Chairman and Black Cats legend Neil Quinn, most were impressed by what the former Manchester United captain accomplished in his first season as a manager. Guiding the Wearsiders from the bottom of the Championship to the title. 

But then should we really have been so surprised? After all the man did spend £50 million.

To his credit he did keep Sunderland in the Premier League the following season. But again he did spend big bucks and whenever he was in a jam he got on the phone with his mate Sir Alex (Ferguson) who was more than happy loan him a player or two.

But when the going got tough in his third season, Keane showed his true colours as a boss and walked out on Sunderland. Thankfully Ricky Sbragia saved the club from the drop on the final day of the season.

It was surprising that Jim Magilton left as Ipswich Town boss during the summer. After all he had had many successful seasons at the club on a small budget. 

It was even more surprising when the Portman Road board appointed Keane as the man to take them to the next level, highlighting his success at Sunderland.

Didn't David Sheepshanks do his homework? Keane only gained promotion with Sunderland thanks to his ability to splash the cash.

Now realisation has hit home for Ipswich and the true extent of Keane's managerial abilities are on the table for all to see.

The 2-1 defeat to Barnsley at the weekend shows he isn't up to the job and that Town are in trouble.

Keane is a proud man though and would not discuss his future at the club in the press conference following the game. He will no doubt walk out on the Tractor Boys before he is pushed.

 

 

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written on October 05, 2009 Opinion

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