Roy keane book review

A few anecdotes are repeated but mostly its fresh material. Reading the two books together definitely gives a truer and more complete picture of Keane than taking either book in isolation. Overall the story is of a fascinating life of a determined figure whose achievements have been matched by controversies caused largely by the same determination and qualities that led to his success in the first place.

Both books are really well written and entertaining reads. A lover of sports books. This site is my blog of reviews of classic and contemporary sports books that I have read and am reading. View all posts by allsportsbookreviews. The inability to say much of a positive word about Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy indelibly colours the book in a negative light.

Although I suppose you could simultaneously argue that the book would have been less compelling at the time without such a tone.

Roy keane book review: 'A masterpiece thoughtful and self-mocking, insightful

I now much prefer the second book. Less distance from the subject, a much smoother read, and, as you say, a wiser, more reflective and more welcoming self-critical angle. Players came in limping. Yes, we might have been better if we had been slightly more professional but it was important for the boys to come over, and have a skinful, and Jack knew that.

Monday morning was just five-a-side and shooting practice because he knew we had been out on the Sunday. But he also knew that come Wednesday night, we would be focused and more often than not get a result. Keane has the vague thought that Savage might give Sunderland a lift. I never called him back. He picks up on the small things, like the pre-match choice of music.

Slowly, certainly, he grows to love the club. He becomes utterly engaged in the complexities of the job; not merely the tactics and performances, but the human relationships, the anticipation of crises, the way the staff would come to him with marital difficulties or problems with their children. Keane applauds on the bench in Dublin in his capacity as Republic of Ireland assistant manager.

Keane centre gives a wry smile ahead Ireland's defeat of Gibraltar in Euro qualifying. He starts to enjoy it, the setbacks and the successes. He takes Sunderland from the foot of the Championship to the title in his first season. He preserves their Premier League place in his second. I was punishing myself. In the third year of a three-year contract, after some hard words with the new owner, he takes his leave.

Just like that. Some six months later, he joined Ipswich. It was the wrong club at the wrong time.

Roy keane book review: Brilliantly reviewed, Roy Keane's riveting, brutally

Keane enjoys his step into management at Sunderland, the setbacks and the successes. Even as a boss though his fiery, passionate side came out - here he argues with referee Rob Styles after his player Paul McShane is sent off in After success at Sunderland, Keane gives an honest appraisal of his next job at Ipswich: 'I managed badly'. Roy Keane is clearly a very driven person, and this comes across in the book, which is an insight into his personality and some of the characters in professional football.

It is illustrated with many colour photographs, although at times the captions of the photographs do not correspond with the text of the book. There are also a few factual errors in the book. For example, the family of the late Bob Paisley, a former manger of Liverpool, may be surprised to read that the Durham-born Paisley is described as a Scotsman.

I should also add a care warning that there is a lot of strong language throughout the book. Turned down Celtic this summer. Re-opens feud with Fergie. Profited from Glazer takeover. Keane crosses line to dangerous territory. On that MUTV interview. Knew Ronaldo would be one of the best. Keane - proudly wearing the captain's armband - in the driving rain at Goodison Park against Everton in February If his first book — memorable as it was — served to reinforce Keane's deliberately constructed image of driven, cold-eyed, one-track hard man, this one questions those stereotypes quite starkly.

As he writes himself: 'My mid-life crisis has been going on for years'. Some life decisions are taken on whims. For example, he accepted his first pundits gig with ITV after something he read in his horoscope. Ultimately, though, TV work left him feeling 'like a failure', as did a brief foray on to the celebrity circuit after his sacking from Ipswich.

Roy keane book review: Were two men ever more cruelly

Clearly, Keane's departure from Old Trafford — and his manner of it — has stayed with him. He has tried to cut his emotional ties with the club but he has failed. Similarly with his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Keane is withering in his assessment of Ferguson, at times unstintingly so. He hints at selfishness and double standards in Old Trafford's great patriarch.

Equally, though, the search for approval and recognition in a mentor goes on.