On the 10th anniversary of Roy Keane’s departure from Manchester United we take a look back at his most infamous spats.
We look at the Republic of Ireland assistant manager’s various splits and see how they compare to the Queen of Splitsville, the late great screen siren Elizabeth Taylor – a veteran of eight divorces.
Roy Keane and Alex Ferguson
Although they enjoyed much success together over the course of 13 years at Old Trafford, when push came to shove there could be only one winner. The older, more powerful Ferguson forced his captain and inspirational midfielder out of the club after an interview with Keane was viewed too critical to air on MUTV. The pair are still estranged.
Rating on the Taylor Scale: Conrad Hilton – first love, which ended badly.
Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy
This pair had previous going all the way back to a US Tour in 1992 but managed to get along well enough to drag the Republic of Ireland to the 2002 World Cup, with McCarthy as manager and Keane as captain. Things went sour on the Japanese island of Saipan, with Keane leaving and McCarthy picking up the pieces. However the pair reconciled (to a degree) in 2006.
Rating on the Taylor Scale: John Warner – older man who thought he held the power
Roy Keane and Eamon Dunphy
The pair collaborated for Keane’s first autobiography, with Dunphy enthusiastically playing the role of Keane’s chief defender in the wake of Saipan. However their relationship soured over a different section of the book. Dunphy’s interpretation of the Alf Inge Haaland tackle was the subject of an FA hearing and, when the journalist’s testimony sealed Keane’s fate, they parted ways.
Rating on the Taylor Scale: Eddie Fisher – both played the fame game before it ended in the courts.
Roy Keane and Jonathan Walters
Theirs was a brief but tumultuous affair, with Walters agitating for a transfer away from Keane’s Ipswich Town back in 2010. As things got quite heated both said things at the time that they may have regretted – both publicly and in private. Since reunited at international level they seem to have real respect for each other and their past troubles have been left behind.
Rating on the Taylor Scale: Michael Todd – in another life this love could have been everlasting.
Roy Keane and John Delaney
Delaney came to the fore in the wake of Saipan and progressed to the most powerful position in the FAI thanks to his handling of the whole farrago. Told Keane to “get over himself” about a year before he hired the Corkman as part of Martin O’Neill’s coaching ticket. Neither men’s comments since would suggest that there is much love lost between the chief executive and the show-stopping assistant manager.
Rating on the Taylor Scale: Michael Wilding – he could not handle the fact he was less famous.
Roy Keane and Liam Miller
Once seen as the heir apparent to Keane in the Ireland and Manchester United midfields, the fellow Corkonian fell foul of Keane at Sunderland. Miller was transfer-listed by Keane and publicly ridiculed after repeatedly reporting late for training. In the end Keane left the club before Miller.
Rating on the Taylor Scale: Larry Fortensky – never really on the same level.
Roy Keane and Niall Quinn
This is a real “amour fou” relationship, as Tony Soprano would call it. Crazy love. They can’t live with each other, they can’t live without each other – although the latter does seem more likely. Keane’s failure to turn up for Quinn’s testimonial ahead of the 2002 World Cup was just a taster of the acrimony to come. Keane branded the former Sunderland striker a “Mother Theresa” character in the wake of Saipan but still accepted an offer Quinn to come manage the club in 2006. Again, their second union did not end well and Quinn admitted a few years back that there would be no love between the pair.
Rating on the Taylor Scale: Richard Burton – the one true love, the one who gave it another go.
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