RTÉ soccer analyst Eamon Dunphy feels Roy Keane’s ambition to be a successful manager will not materialise, but has defended his criticism of his former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, saying he was “shafted” in his exit from the club.
Keane’s book The Second Half was released yesterday; in it he revealed his hopes of returning as a manager in the future.
He is currently assistant for the Republic of Ireland and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Dunphy told RTÉ: “In the later chapters he talks about his time as manager of Sunderland and Ipswich. I think there are elements of his character [that show] intolerance of other people, to put it bluntly, that mean he may never be a great manager.
“If this is a way of getting a manager a job in the future, I'm not sure it's the best way to do it.
“I think he wants to go back to management. Football is the great thing in his life, apart from his family. He is blessed with his family. But I think he is a football man and he loves the game.
“He wants to find a place in the game. I don't think he will ever be a manager, to be honest, because of his character and personality. He is a loner, intolerant and very, very interesting.”
Keane has detailed his departure from United and his anger at Ferguson for comments made about his ex-captain.
Dunphy feels Ferguson intentionally aggravated Keane in the run-up to his exit.
“He was goaded," he said. "There was a series of events which I think were an attempt by Ferguson to goad him, knowing that he had his pride and he would react in the way he did.
“I do think the story is worth telling. I think kids should read this book and young people who want to be footballers. It does show the difference between someone like Keane who is bright, emotional and straight and someone like Ferguson who is shrewd, experienced, and manipulative, and a great manager.
“Ferguson shafted him badly and I think that is an important story to be in the public domain. The history of football and Manchester United demands it and I think Roddy Doyle has done an outstanding job and Keane has been honest. He has told the truth.”
"I don't think he will ever be a manager, to be honest, because of his character and personality”
Dunphy has backed up comments by Liam Brady, made on RTÉ, that the timing of the book has been disrespectful to the national team with two Euro 2016 qualifiers in the coming days.
He said: "I would agree with Liam Brady that he shouldn't have published it this week and brought this circus around the Irish team. We have two very important games. I do feel the thing has sucked the energy and the air out of the training camp.”
Asked whether O’Neill is forcing himself to refrain from comment, Dunphy concluded: "I'm certain of that. Martin is a very bright guy and has a big career behind him as a coach and player. I don't think the Keane publishing exercise has been helpful at all. That is something that could have been changed."
