I'm a massive Keano fan but there was plenty of nonsense with him. He's not your classic leader away from the pitch.
There's loads of examples but leaving the Ireland camp, getting arrested, the way he left United, silly sending offs, getting into fights off field, complaining about pre season conditions. I'm guessing a load of stuff we don't know about.
He's a very complicated, high maintenance guy.
I disagree with this completely just because I don’t really agree that his behaviour away from the pitch means anything unless it impacts his displays on it.
High maintenance - never heard him called that before...high standards yes but surely you’re not equating the two as one is an essential quality of a captain and the other is a common trait of a Prima Donna type which Keane certainly was not.
Getting arrested - No action was taken as it was a setup. Drinking was part of the culture at that time and I dare say had Roy not been present at those drinking sessions his camaraderie and place within the social status of the squad would have been diminished somewhat. Again, has nothing to do with his ability as a captain - people are human with struggles, such as alcoholism and it’s actually a testament to him that his addiction did not impair his ability to Captain Man Utd more.
Leaving Utd - countless players have dissected that interview and incidents that followed. They were there and watched what was said and none, not even those who were called out had an issue with what was said. At the end of the day, he wasn’t the first or last great great player and leader to leave a Ferguson team on bad terms. Again, not sure how that detracts from his ability as a captain and certainly has not tainted the opinions of those he captained.
sending offs - surely cannot be used as a reason to criticise his ability as a captain and if anything goes to show his desire commitment and attitude which culminated in the ferocity we saw week in week out on the pitch. 11 reds in 366 appearances (4 from double yellows) considering his position and the type of player he was...is a great return.
complaining about pre season conditions??? That’s exactly what a captain should be doing - expecting and ensuring the best for his team.
Leaving the Ireland camp - Mick McCarthy was never Keane’s biggest fan and it was a once in a lifetime occurrence where circumstances and narrative culminated in an awful outcome for Irish football. It was far from just Roy Keane’s fault and has no bearing whatsoever on the guys ability to Captain a football team.It was very much the only blot on an otherwise unquestionable record of being a captain at the very highest level.
It sounds like your idea of a captain should be a role model on and off the pitch and dress appropriately and conduct himself well in interviews etc. Gareth Southgate was a captain...Gary Linekar...they were shite!
On the other hand...Tony Adams, John Terry, Paul McGrath are regarded as great Captains in footballing history...each one of them had demons and issues which made them more relatable and admirable to their team mates...each one of them also always finish behind one man on every single list of great captains of the English game ever compiled...Roy Keane.
My captain (and Cantona of course...)