Sports Calendar

Nov 2000: Criticises atmosphere at Old Trafford. “Away from home our fans are fantastic,” he says. “But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don’t realise what’s going on out on the pitch.”

April 2001: Sent off in Manchester derby after X-rated tackle on Alf Inge Haaland. Admits in his autobiography two years later that the challenge was premeditated. Banned for five matches and fined £150,000.

May 2002: Returns from Ireland’s World Cup finals training base in Saipan after series of rows with Mick McCarthy. Launches scathing attack on the manager at a team meeting: “I didn’t rate you as a player, I don’t rate you as a manager and I don’t rate you as a person.”

July 2003: Attacks Manchester United team-mates in his autobiography: “Some players were getting away with murder. Rolex watches, garages full of cars, mansions, set up for life — then they forgot about the game and lost the hunger that got the Rolex, the cars and the mansion.”

Keane shows danger of being unapproachable

Those who know Roy Keane well would not be surprised if he spurned all managerial offers that come his way in 2009

• When the going got tough at Sunderland, Roy Keane decided to get going

How Roy Keane has spent £80m at Sunderland

Kenwyne Jones and Anton Ferdinand have been hits, but Craig Gordon and Pascal Chimbonda less so. What do you think?

• Roy Keane should have kept his mouth shut over Sunderland future

• Roy Keane feels strain as he reaches his Sunderland century

• Roy Keane factfile

Related Links

• Keane shows danger of being unapproachable

• The favourites to succeed Keane on Wearside

• Keane walks out on Quinn and Sunderland

Nov 2005: Leaves United after criticising team-mates on MUTV, the club’s television channel. “People are sick of excuses now,” he says. “Our performance levels have not been good enough.”

Words by Kaveh Solhekol

Best of the web

“I still think Keane will make a good manager if he learns from his mistakes and calms down a bit. He did a huge amount for Sunderland, but the question is, will he give management another shot? He’s always a fascinating story, so I hope he does.”timesonline.co.uk

“Two-one down in a European Cup semi-final, suspended from the final due to a harsh yellow, yet he pulled his team through and Manchester United went on to glory. That man is no quitter. He just expects high standards of himself and those around him, and is a very proud man. If he feels he’s not doing a job justice, he will stand down and let others have a go.”
bbc.co.uk/606

“Unbelievable. I never thought he would throw in the towel again. A run of six defeats in seven games — get used to it. It’s Sunderland, not Real Madrid. His fragile myth has suffered a hammer blow that may be impossible to repair. Go walk your dog, Roy, and make it a long one.”
football365.com

“What a joke. He’s the best thing to have happened to Sunderland in years. There should have been no pressure on him anyway at this point in the season. He exceeded what was expected of him at Sunderland and that has become his downfall. Best of luck, Roy.”
bbc.co.uk/606