Keane: The Auto Biography

Keane: The Auto Biography

I'm a die-hard United fan and I also like Keane a lot. But I would like to see things as it is. Although the book has managed to display Roy Keane with all his arrogance and his unflappable desire to win games…his views and points across many issues, especially episodes about Irish football, I felt (like many others), it is Eamonn Dunphy who is speaking. It is not a bad idea in the first place to get someone like Eamonn Dunphy who is as explosive and articulate as Keane himself, as his ghost-writer. But a careful reader like me, or someone who is familiar with the views of Dunphy (on Irish Football) can make out the flaws in the joins.

The book has also diplomatically put Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson in the right light, although Keane and the Club management had many disparities time and time again. And eventually one such incident led to his unexpected departure on 18 November 2005. Recent incidents also prove that Keane has greater admiration for Brian Clough than Sir Alex. So the book is not as honest as mentioned by some newspaper review printed in the back cover.

I would have loved to read some more of his personal life with his family especially wife and kids. I think I rarely saw his wife’s name mentioned. It would definitely have added some extra human touch to the character, Keane.

But being said all these, this book is certainly the most captivating and compelling read among all footballers' autobiographies. The book has managed to vividly capture his career chart starting from his boyhood days. His struggle to get into the English Premier League, his first encounter with Brian Clough and his record-breaking transfer to Manchester United have all been wonderfully documented.

The book may have come out a long while ago, but it still holds great appeal. I would like to see an updated edition or a second volume on this.

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