I only played to win and, again, I might fall out with people who don’t have that will to win.” “I’ve taken results seriously since I started playing at eight years of age. “However, I guarantee that if a player isn’t concentrating, tracking back, or disrespects my staff, we’re going to fall out. I made plenty of them myself and they’re part of the game. “I’m not one for criticising people making mistakes. “I never had an issue with players who weren’t as good as my teammates,” he insisted. He was eager to kill the myth that working with inferior quality is beyond his patience threshold, instead broadening his frustrations to core aspects. Keane was also linked earlier this year with a return to Celtic, where he’d finished his playing career, but the remnants from his previous snub of the vacancy in 2014 scuppered that prospect. I enjoyed the flow of international football with Ireland but I would have had to live over there (Azerbaijan) for a certain amount of the year for tax reasons.” “I’d talk to anybody that asks because it would be rude or arrogant not to.
“Yeah, we had a chat,” he admitted about an offer to take over Azerbaijan. Had he accepted, Keane would have been managing against his own country in the recent World Cup campaign. They’ve got better CVs so can’t say I deserve a chance more than anybody else.” “It’s not a sob story because I’m a member of the League Managers Association in England and there’s better managers than me out of work. We had too many draws in a season, a record for the club. “But, from day one at Ipswich Town, it didn’t feel right. Sunderland was a good fit for me because Niall Quinn had gone with the Irish consortium. Not unless I think I have a bit of a chance. “I’m not going to give that up for a job in League One or Championship. I want to have a bit of freedom, not answering to nobody. “I’ve had management opportunities but not the ones I want. People have a perception of me they look back at my playing career thinking I fell out with everybody. “I’d like to get back in but I don’t think it’s going to happen,” said the Corkman, who went to manage Ipswich Town after getting Sunderland promoted to the Premier League and keeping them there. That assistant role to Martin O’Neill was his last involvement in a coaching stint that stretches back to 2006 when he ventured straight into the hotseat at Sunderland. Two and a half years have elapsed since he left Nottingham Forest. Host Matt Cooper was sometimes left hanging Keane’s eyes narrowed while pausing to allow the tension build before a killer one-line retort was executed.Īt 50, he is still happy in his own skin, knowing what to say and when to say it, albeit he feels that approach has cost him a route back into the managerial career he desires. An ability to silence a room growing increasingly lairy as the night wore on is in itself an artform. Legends from the Kingdom such Mick Galwey, Séamus Moynihan, Marc Ó Sé, and Éamonn Fitzmaurice were among the crowd, the latter rising to his feet from his table to deliver a glowing tribute to the special guest on stage.įor entertainment value, Keane has few peers.