Roy Keane moved to Manchester United from Nottingham Forest in 1993 for a record £3.75 million and played a key role during one of the club’s strongest periods.
He made 480 appearances for United across all competitions, scoring 51 goals, and served as captain during a highly successful era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keane’s achievements at Old Trafford include seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one UEFA Champions League (1999), and the Intercontinental Cup, solidifying his position as one of United’s best midfielders.
Known for his intensity, leadership, and high standards, Keane was central to the treble-winning team and a vital part of United’s domestic success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
After retiring from playing in 2006, he became a manager at Sunderland, leading them to the Premier League title in the 2006–07 season, and later managed Ipswich Town and coached the Republic of Ireland.
Recently, Keane has gained attention in the media as a pundit for Sky Sports, known for his straightforward analysis and direct opinions.
His legacy—built on victories, authority, and high standards—is examined in the film “Saipan,” which explores a significant moment in his career.
“Saipan” premieres in Irish cinemas this week, revisiting a controversial moment in Irish sports: the fallout between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy just before the 2002 World Cup.
Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, the film is a dramatic reimagining rather than a documentary, focusing on the clash that led to Keane’s departure from the Irish squad.
The film portrays the tension between the captain and manager as inevitable, stemming from their differing views on preparation and ambitions for the tournament.
As Coogan mentioned to RTÉ News, the film highlights how their conflicts could have been avoided and focuses on the intense exchanges that characterized their relationship.
The story also addresses the aftermath, showing that Ireland advanced to the last 16 without Keane, ultimately losing to Spain in a penalty shootout, while debates continued at home.
Humor appears throughout the film, but the creators emphasize themes of sincerity, miscommunication, and identity.
Coogan noted that the core of “Saipan” is about how communication can fail significantly, describing it as a “perfect storm of miscommunication.”
With memorable lines like “You’re unmanageable!” and “And you can’t manage!” the film presents both viewpoints and encourages audiences to form their own opinions.
As the credits roll, old arguments are likely to resurface.
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