New Sunderland boss Roy Keane has admitted his fiery temper might have cost him a World Cup and his career at Manchester United.
The 35-year-old former United midfielder was unveiled as Mick McCarthy's successor at the Stadium of Light today promising to bring all his renowned passion to Wearside, but acknowledging it perhaps has to be channelled a little better.
Keane said: 'I have, no doubt, over the years crossed that white line and it has probably cost me a lot. It probably cost me the World Cup in 2002 and you could say my United career. But as much as that is sometimes a down-side for me, it's a big plus for me now.
'I do care about the game, I care about who I am playing for, who I am playing with. Over the coming days, weeks, months and hopefully years at Sunderland, I will be looking to get the balance right. Sometimes that just comes with experience and as I get a bit older and a bit wiser.
'I have made mistakes, but I am just glad I have got this opportunity, and hopefully I will make the most of it. I would not be sitting here if I thought I could not do it.'
Chairman Niall Quinn, who pulled off a major coup to land his former Republic of Ireland team-mate as his new manager, admitted the fear factor sparked by his arrival had perhaps fuelled a much-improve performance in yesterday's 2-0 Coca-Cola Championship victory over West Brom.
However, Keane insisted he would try to strike a balance between the 'hairdryer' treatment, used by his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and a more soft approach.
The end of his career at Old Trafford was prompted by an outburst recorded for the club's television channel, while he famously clashed with McCarthy four years ago to bring an end to his World Cup.
He said: 'You have to remember, when I was playing, I always saw games as a war, that was part of my image.
'I was playing for the biggest club in the world, Manchester United, and I had to lead by example, and to me, that was we would win at all costs.
'As a manager, it's a balancing act. I am aware I can't be going off the handle as much as I did as a player.
'But again, if I feel something is not right and it's affecting the football club, I will look to nail this.'
Keane, who learnt his trade as a player under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest and Ferguson at United, admitted he would try to use what the Scot taught him as he launches the latest phase of his career.
He said: 'I have spoken briefly over the last few days with him, but you have got to be your own man. I just hope I can pick up the bits that I can carry on with.
'But I always enjoyed the way he looked after the players in terms of backing them, defending them and basically looking after them.
'Maybe I did cross that line towards the end and rightly was punished for it, you could say.
'But I was very, very fortunate to play under him, and I am sure I could pick up the phone any time - and I am sure he will lend me a few players if I need any!'
Keane will spend the next couple of days attempting to strengthen his squad ahead of the transfer deadline, and will work in tandem with Quinn, the man he has previously branded a 'muppet' and a 'coward', although he insists those fences have been mended.
He said: 'I think it will be fine, I really do. A lot of people are obviously making a big issue of what happened in the past, but when I met up again with Niall and the potential owners of the club maybe three or four months ago, we sorted it out there and then despite what was going to happen if I took this job or not.
'That was important to me. I know people have this question over me out there, but it's important to move on.
'I have had differences with thousands of people. I am humble enough to apologise if I have done something wrong.
'That's the type of character I am. I care and working with Niall, I really do not see a problem.'
