Roy Keane considered retiring from soccer altogether after undergoing hip surgery last September, his club Manchester United said today. The former Irish captain quit playing for Ireland on medical grounds yesterday in order to concentrate on his club career, a decision that surprised manager Brian Kerr.
Stressing the seriousness of the player's hip injury, his club said in statement: "Roy Keane had undergone hip surgery in September 2002. The orthopaedic surgeon said it was a serious, potential career-threatening injury.
"With slow and very careful rehabilitation Roy has made a good recovery from surgery. The possibility of retirement from the game following the surgery was discussed but Roy decided that this was not the course of action he wanted to take." Keane's decision attracted criticism in Ireland, coming the day before Kerr's first game as Ireland coach, a friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on Wednesday.
It is also a big blow to Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2004 but United said his decision had been made "purely on medical grounds and not football issues".
"(United manager) Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane were eager for Roy to return to the Republic of Ireland squad," United said.
The club added: "It is self evident that being able to give Roy periods of rest if his hip becomes a problem is likely to prolong his career.
"This is possible within a club situation. The break he gets during international games can only be of benefit to him. From a strictly medical viewpoint once the decision to continue playing was taken, any way of limiting the number of games he plays is in Roy's best interests.
"It has been in no-one's interest to persuade Roy Keane to retire from international football, based purely on medical grounds and not football issues. Roy has decided to do what is best for him and his family."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
