Keane

by Roy Keane, Eamon Dunphy

Roy Keane, captain of Manchester United and the Irish national team, was born in Cork in 1971. He signed for Manchester United from Nottingham Forest in 1993. In 2000 he was awarded the PFA Player of the Year 2000. His footballing intelligence and fierce determination helped Ireland to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. But his passion has sometimes given rise to the wrong kind of headlines. His commitment to winning has led to violent confrontation on the pitch and controversy off it.

Genres: Football, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Soccer, Memoir

294 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2002

About the author

Roy Maurice Keane (born 10 August 1971 in Mayfield, Cork) is a retired Irish footballer and the manager of English Championship club Ipswich Town.

In a highly successful 18-year career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and, most notably, Manchester United (both in England), before ending his career with a brief spell at Celtic in Scotland.

A dominating central-midfielder, Keane was noted for his aggressive and highly-competitive style of play, an attitude which helped him excel as captain of Manchester United from 1997 until his departure in 2005. Keane helped United achieve a sustained period of success in more than 12 years at the club, during which he established himself as one of the greatest players in the club's history.[citation needed]

He played at international level for much of his career, representing the Republic of Ireland over a period of fourteen years, most of which he spent as captain. In the 1994 FIFA World Cup he played in every game, although he went home from the 2002 World Cup after an argument with national coach Mick McCarthy, after Keane claimed that the Irish players were being treated poorly.

During his first season as Sunderland manager, he took the club from twenty-third position in the Football League Championship to win the league and gain promotion to the Premier League. Keane's arrival has been largely attributed as the catalyst for Sunderland's recovery. He managed to keep Sunderland from relegation in the 2007–08 season, but in his second season as a top-flight manager he left his position with Sunderland in the relegation zone. In April 2009 he was appointed as manager of Ipswich Town.

Reviews

[Leo . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people call Roy Keane brash and abrupt. I just think he is honest. Great book Roy.🐯👍

[Juliette Barasch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it interesting that the superior of Keane’s two autobiographies (this one) is the one he really regrets writing. I’m always wary of sports autobios that come out while the athlete still has an active career, but this is uniquely insightful and honest in ways that, say, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s autobiography could never be. However, this is also a tragic read. The idolization of Ferguson here is worlds away from how Keane feels now. Reading it is a bit sad as we ultimately know how bitterly their relationship ended.

I admire Keane’s refusal to abandon his working-class background, his principles, his work ethic, and his lack of desire for celebrity despite being the anchor and centerpiece for one of the biggest football clubs on the planet. The Irish wit is in full supply, of course. Probably the most honest and clear-eyed football memoir I’ll ever read.

“I just don’t want us going home saying, ‘if only we’d prepared better’”.

[George Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this enthralling, frank and hilarious book. Readers not familiar with British colloquialisms and English football culture may find this story difficult to follow. But readers interested in what constitutes the heart of a champion will find Keane The Autobiography both rewarding and indispensable.

Here is the story of a poor Irish footballer from Cork who was too small, too slow and so utterly lacking in fundamental skills that by age 18 he was relegated to a ‘has been’ in organized soccer. With no prospects for club play (forget junior nationals or professional football), Roy Keane’s career appeared to everyone to be finished. To everyone, that is, other than Roy Keane.

This autobiography tells the story of how Roy Keane relentlessly drove himself towards a simple goal (to be a professional soccer player) and how his uncompromising single mindedness propelled him to the pinnacle of his objective -- captaincy of Manchester United, the 1999 treble season capturing the FA Cup, Premiership and Champions League and countless other team and individual trophies.

It’s not an entirely happy story. This is a brutally honest book about professional soccer, international tournaments and Roy Keane. The beautiful game is often a very ugly business. And the iron will that makes Keane the captain of Manchester United and Ireland’s national team frequently leads to trouble. Trouble that often borders on self-destruction. To his credit, Keane is honest with himself and the reader throughout.

Roy Keane is honest about the nature of most soccer players. He’s frank about the nature of the news media, team managers and fans. He’s explicit about what it takes to win. And, most stirringly, Roy Keane is honest about the price one pays for not compromising on the things one believes in.

The edition I read (Penguin 2003 paperback) was revised from the original hardback (as a result of FA sanctions) and does not include Keane’s final seasons with Manchester United, his swan song with Celtic FC or his tenure as manager of Sunderland AFC (where he willed the Black Cats from middling Champions Leaguers to promotion to the Premier League). So, personally, I am hoping a subsequent edition (or second volume) will cover these episodes in Keane’s soccer career.

Nevertheless, Roy Keane is a remarkable hero. And his autobiography was a very good read.

[Caleb Cherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did I decide to read this book?
I decided to read this book because on the bingo board I needed to read a dairy, autobiography or biography because of this I wanted to read this book because Roy played soccer and I really enjoy this sport. Aswell as he played for Manchester United which is the team I support in the English Premier Leauge.

Which category on the bingo board this book completes?
The category that this book completes is dairy, autobiography or biography. I found this book interesting because Roy Keane adds a great sence of humour to the book and mainly the fact that i thought most autobiographys were boring and this wasn't.

Describe a character you found interesting and explain why?
A character I found interesting was Ryan Giggs because I know of him playing soccer it was interesting to find out how much of a dagg he was like Roy with his good sence of homour.

My favourite/most interestring quote from the book(and why)?
I'd waited long enough. I f****** hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c***. And don't ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries. This was my favourite quote because this cheating player deserved it and the irish man got him.

Something new I learned from this book, or something I thought about more deeply about this book is:
That speak for what is right Keane got into a argument with his manager because his manager was screwing the whole irish side. Speak for what is right.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this is an above average book. It is a very motivational book because of the type of person Keane is. The book is also very good because it tells events honestly even if it makes the author look bad. However, you do have to enjoy the game of soccer considering the book is about a former soccer player and the events of his life as a soccer player. I would rate the book four out of five because it is very inspirational, honest, but it is written for a special audience.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A far more simplistic writing style than Sir Alex Ferguson's book, but a good, well written book nonetheless. Keane's honesty gets to the point of almost being uncomfortable at times, but that's what makes it so good. He's not afraid to tell his story the way it is and not afraid of portraying himself in a bad light, which takes guts.

[Kyle Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate Manchester Unites & hate parts of Keane's personality, and things he did in his career, but he is a footballing great, in my opinion a genius; reading his autobiography was a pleasure and I was gripped!

[Chris Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

really really good...was gutted when I got to the end, no holds barred from Keano

[Jono Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Reveals why he is the way he is and also that he is prepared to stand by his beliefs in the face of anything and anyone. A legend.

[Mithun Kalaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly honest piece by a player renowned for his straight-forward manner on and off the pitch...

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a player, what a man. You can hate him but you can't deny his greatness. A true soldier of a person.

[Joe Mallabone · Rating 3 out of 5]

amusing and honest but fairly repetitive

[Matthew McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Always enjoyed Keane as a pundit and a player, really enjoyed this read. Will have to read his second autobiography.

[Paolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good read - we're given alot of information about the young life of Roy Keane that established him as the footballing superstar he became. Roy is a no-nonsense type of guy on and off the pitch. He stands up for what he believes and has the ability to tell it like it is, so for me this book was refreshing. We get some great insights behind the scenes at Man United and International duty, including Roy's side of the 2002 Saipan fiasco.

Like Roy, I'm the type of person who suffers with a short temper, who tends to wear his heart on his sleeve and is not afraid to speak his mind, so I found it easy to relate to him. This type of personality interacting at the top level of sport in the public eye makes for a very eventful and entertaining read.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book that came at me from a car boot sale. For me, it promised lots of inside info into the world of modern professional football. The enigmatic Mr Clough at Nottingham. The Ferguson regime at Old Trafford along with some juicy details of the famous dressing room hairdryer. Also
that World Cup upset between R.K. and Mick McCarthy.
Sure enough, this autobiography recounts Keane's career through the 1990's and published in 2002
tells of his World Cup walkout from the Republic of Ireland squad in that year. Unfortunately, for me, in spite of all the glory years and the controversy, and apart from the odd snippet of behind the scenes revelations, I found Roy's book to be not much to write home about.

[Paul Wally · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its not bad, but the arrogance is over the top, its what you take away from the book and why its 2 star not 3... Yep, he has a right to be arrogant, one of the best footballers of all time... but the remarks about Sheringham, Schmeichel and even Cantona feels like petulant whining. As with many modern footballers books, it lacks event, you feel they don't really have a life outside football to live!!! Want to read a footballers book? Try Paul McGrath - Back from the Brink... Great read.

[Katie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really well written book which honestly recounts Kean's life in football. I am not a fan of either Manchester United or Roy Kean, however have a strong respect for him having read the book. I'm sure there was a ghost writer involved, however you do feel that it is Roy's story in his own words. I especially liked the fact that whilst he explained he never tried to excuse, refreshingly honest!

[Michael Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit that Roy Keane is a hero of mine so I was really looking forward to reading this book. I wasn't disappointed as Roy took me on a "warts and all" journey through his childhood, his personal life and his controversial footballing career. Not at all sycophantic as many of these sports bios can be, instead this is just like Keano was on the field. What you see is what you get.

[Jackson Stubbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of Keane. His intensity and desire to 'win' is evident throughout the book - something I've always admired.

The book focuses heavily on his playing career and he only allows us an occasional glimpse into his home life. With that in mind, it may be one to avoid unless you're a big fan of the game!

[Cymru Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

The personality required to be an elite athlete is not always the same that is needed to qualify as a “good person.” Ruthlessness, stubbornness, ignoring pain, ignoring limits, intentionally breaking rules of decency——these traits are sometimes needed for tremendously successful athletes to become Legends. Thank Goodness we have the metaphorical realms of Sport and Art so that the most talented among us can work out these contradictions in a safe space, rather than have no other outlet and have to take out their aggression—and transgressions—elsewhere.

Where would Keano be if it wasn’t for football? By his own admission a poor student, and by constant demonstration on the pitch—and off as well—absolutely unwilling on principle of backing down from confrontation——these traits in a normal human being often lead to jail. But in the sphere of sport he was able to captain one of the most successful sides in world football. The point is that the abstract realms of Sport and Art (each often despised by passionate adherents of the other) traits that are entirely natural, that make us Human and therefore far from perfect, that in the real world are useless-to-extremely harmful, can in these spheres open our eyes to greater virtues. Kean gave his teammates courage to never back down no matter what the occasion. We can all learn from that.

So I forgive the forthright Irishman for his contradictions in character. The professional athlete that we see on our televisions are as fictitious as any literary character, and thus I can judge Roy Keane as a character; and I’ve always liked characters in books or movies that have contradictions. Some examples of Keane’s Kontradictions include:

A man as “tough” as he could still endlessly complain about the lack of resources of the Irish national team. He sounds a bit like a primadonna——moaning about the kit, not flying first class, the lousy food. There are tough guys among us who would never complain about anything just to prove to everyone (although no one notices) that they can withstand everything, that they need nothing. Keano happily complains, and to be fair for a professional these things matter. It came off a bit surprising though to read about his various issues with the team (which he repeats too often, a mark against the editor); but it illustrates just what makes Keano different——he is stubborn, ruthless, never backs down, when it comes to what he believes and what he wants. Those things can be contradictory, but it doesn’t matter. Roy Keane never claimed to be an intellectual let alone a Stoic (although he is smarter than he gives himself credit for, humility being one of his main traits, self-negation and coyness being the contradictions).

The other main contradiction that an Arsenal fan such as myself may be tempted to call a double-standard is Keane’s supposed unflinching attitude toward the truth. He exemplified a very important aspect of Man United’s greatness, which was a hatred of complacency, a refusal to be satisfied that more often than not spoiled any sense of accomplishment. This ultimately led to his downfall, tragic hero that he is (although the Autobiography was written prior to the event) when he unduly criticized his teammates’ performance on Man U’s own TV program. The contradiction lies not in his ability to be mercilessly critical of himself and his own team, but in the absolute denial of the existence of quality elsewhere. He has some words for Real Madrid and Juventus, and he admits begrudgingly throughout when another team played better than his; but for the most part the successes of anyone else mean nothing to him. As a fan of a major rival of his, it’s easy to see why I would notice such a contradiction; but Keane is not concerned with being a well-rounded individual. He is not concerned with following the Socratic method of argument. The inability to give the slightest shit about competitors doing well, to nonsensically (in logical terms) attribute zero value to the success of rivals, is a major advantage for a competitive athlete. At the office it makes you a cunt, but in the vicious world of professional football it is a valuable—if unconscious—attribute.

In terms of entertainment value, these contradictions didn’t always work in favor of the book. There was nothing about his rivalry on the pitch with Vieira. Arsenal were nonentities. Of course, as a fan, I’m going to be miffed by this; but it isn’t just that I wanted him to weep tears of praise for my team. The Man U/Arsenal rivalry was intense! It was the source of so much of the Keane legend, and I feel like it was totally passed over here. I would have also liked to hear more about his technical and tactical thoughts on the game——what it was like, as a player, during the big games. But searching for a purely intellectual analysis from Keano is barking up the wrong tree. I do believe he is capable of such analysis—he’s no idiot—but he was the guy that embodied the truth that tactics and brains only work when you can back it up with brawn. That was his contribution; I get it, but I could have used more than the cursory mentions of such things as winning the Premiership title!

Elsewhere, there was too much about the Irish national team, which sorry, but no one really cares about. His exit from the World Cup was big news—for a second—in 2002 or whenever it was. Ancient history now. I get why he did it though——to pounce on the wave of controversy in order to help book sales. A principled man like Keane taking advantage of publicity? A proud hero like Keane stooping to become a pundit, an occupation he had no respect for as a player because he knew that talk is cheap? Could such oxymorons be true?

For a defensive midfielding contradiction like Roy Keane? Sure it could.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great player & always interesting as to what he has to say for himself, particularly after the world cup saipan fiasco. Pulls no punches when criticising players, mangers or media pundits.. Good read & another must read for all soccer lovers.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting & well worth 99p at the charity shop!
Mostly it's interesting how much he was drinking and eating kebabs well into the 90s. I had assumed the Wenger revolution of special diets and no alcohol had come into play much earlier than it clearly did.

[Jonny Dolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read into the mind of a complicated but brilliant footballer. Being a perfectionist often got in the way of his personal relationships but it made him one of the greatest ever Manchester United players.

[heidipj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book on recommendation from football head Gary in Brisbane before I even knew who Roy was. It got me interested in football. Got me really interested in Roy! He rocks!

[Moominboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

90% football talk, 10% personal stuff. Not a ground-breaking literary achievement, but it is just the thing I expected and wanted from a football biography.

[Ian]

As a Man Utd fan, this was a good read.

[Alex de G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read - interesting to see many of these popular events from Roy's perspectives. Nice, easy reading. This is how sporting autobiographies should be written!

[Stephen Hero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to harken back to my happy childhood but all I seem to remember is that winter was colder and lasted forever.

[John Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely readable. No small talk here.

[Peggy Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, funny, interesting read.