Keane the hardman?

The recent resignation of Roy Keane from Sunderland has, in my opinion, raised many questions about the image of the former Manchester United midfielder. As a player, Keane was tough-tackling, determined, receiving an extensive collection of yellow and red cards along the way. However, I think his tame resignation last week has tarnished his image.

Keane took over Sunderland in 2006 when they were rock bottom of the Championship, having just been relegated from the Premiership with a miserable points tally of 15. Armed with financial backing from chairman Niall Quinn, Keane then transformed the team into promotion contenders with the signing of players such as Carlos Edwards, David Connolly, Graham Kavanagh and Anthony Stokes. Indeed, Sunderland won the title at Luton on the final day of the season, marking a superb start to management for Keane.

The mission for the following season was simple : avoid relegation. The season started brilliantly as live on Sky, new signing Michael Chopra swept the ball home in the 91st minute against Spurs to ensure a perfect start for the Black Cats. The squad was boosted with the signings of Chopra, Andy Reid, but most importantly, Kenwyne Jones from Southampton. Jones cost a hefty £6 million, but went some way to repaying his transfer fee with 7 goals in 33 games. Once again, Keane’s mission was completed, as Sunderland finished in 15th place, 3 points above the relegation zone.

However, the start of the present season was not so successful for Keane. The team now finds itself marooned in relegation trouble, having spent big on quality players such as Teemu Tainio, El-Hadj Diouf and Djibril Cisse. The supporters and indeed many punters felt that additions of this quality may have fired the team into the top half of the league. But talk amongst fans of Keane tinkering with the team too much (he used more players this season than any other premier league manager) and embarrassing recent losses at home to West Ham and Bolton prompted Keane to take his leave.

Having had such a successful time in his first 2 years with the club, I am surprised that it took Keane only this long to throw the towel in when things started to get difficult. He transformed the playing side of things, but it seems the ’second season syndrome’ may have kicked in, with regard to premier league survival. What surprised me more than anything was the dejected manner Keane had in his TV interviews, especially after the 4-1 thrashing at home to Bolton. We have all been told about Keane the disciplinarian, but suggestiong arose that the players were glad to see the back of him, having not got on brilliantly with him in the first place. Although this may be slightly over the top, it shows Keane might have been trying too hard with the mean approach and a bit of thought may have helped him build a better relationship with the players.

For example, last season Keane placed talented midfielder Liam Miller on the transfer list, after being late for a few training sessions. Obviously, this was not acceptable behaviour by Miller, but surely a fine would have sufficed. What kind of message does that send to the other players? Put a foot wrong and you’re out the door.

This bullish mentality had not been present this season, with Keane seemingly running out of options. In the media, Keane has been given a lot of praise for the way he left, making sure his backroom staff would stay employed and making sure the fans were happy. But is this the Roy Keane we all know? I strongly believe that if Keane lived up to his persona, he will have stuck it out and ultimately steered the team clear of relegation. The fact he failed to persevere with the job and resign suggests he might not be such a ‘hard man’ after all.