Roy Keane built a reputation on ferocity and leadership, but his off-field wealth and personal feuds now attract as much scrutiny as his tackles. Here’s a breakdown of the key facts, from his net worth to his sobriety, and the stories behind his most famous relationships.

Net worth: $70 million · Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) · Premier League titles: 7 · Teams coached: Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Republic of Ireland (assistant)

Quick snapshot

1Wealth
2Sobriety
3Feuds
4Relationships

Six key facts about Roy Keane at a glance:

Attribute Value
Full name Roy Maurice Keane
Date of birth 10 August 1971
Place of birth Mayfield, Cork, Ireland
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position Central midfielder
Youth career Rockmount, Cobb Ramblers

How rich is Roy Keane?

Estimated Net Worth

Salary at Manchester United

  • During his peak at Manchester United, Keane earned around £90,000 per week (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
  • That made him the highest-paid Irish footballer of his generation.

Other Income Sources

  • After retiring, Keane moved into coaching (Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Republic of Ireland assistant) and punditry with Sky Sports and ITV, which continue to add to his wealth.
Bottom line: Roy Keane’s net worth is substantial but not precisely verifiable. Investors: treat the $70 million figure as a credible estimate. Fans: his wealth is a product of a long playing career, management roles, and media work.

The implication: Keane’s financial success mirrors his uncompromising career.

How long has Roy Keane been sober?

Sobriety Timeline

  • Roy Keane has been sober since 2002 (RSVP Live (Irish lifestyle)).
  • He stopped drinking after suffering a cruciate ligament injury, which he said forced him to confront his habits.
  • In interviews, Keane admitted he could consume up to 11 bottles of alcohol an hour during his heaviest drinking days (RSVP Live (Irish lifestyle)).

Impact on Career

  • Sobriety allowed Keane to extend his playing career and later transition into punditry with a clear mind.
  • He has spoken openly about his battle with alcohol, describing it as a personal victory.
The trade-off

Keane’s early career was marked by alcohol-fueled incidents. His decision to quit drinking in 2002 removed a major risk factor, but it didn’t erase the confrontational edge that defined him.

Bottom line: Roy Keane has maintained sobriety for over 20 years. For Irish fans, his honesty about addiction has made him a relatable figure. For younger players, his story is a cautionary tale about the pressures of elite sport.

What this means: his sobriety allowed him to prolong his career and transition to media.

Are Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane friends?

The Fallout from United Exit

Ferguson’s Book Comments

  • In his autobiography, Managing My Life, Ferguson criticized Keane’s influence in the dressing room, saying he crossed a line with his criticism of teammates.
  • Keane responded by calling Ferguson a “bully” in later interviews.

Current Relationship

  • They are not currently friends. Keane has said he has no desire to reconcile, and Ferguson has rarely spoken about him since.
Bottom line: The Ferguson-Keane rift is permanent. For Manchester United fans, the split remains a painful chapter. For journalists, it’s a case study in how ego and power collide in football management.

The pattern: Keane’s refusal to reconcile is consistent with his confrontational nature.

Did Roy Keane ever apologize to Haaland?

The Infamous Incident

  • In April 2001, Keane’s tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland ended the Norwegian’s career. The incident occurred during a Manchester derby.
  • Keane later admitted in his autobiography that he intended to hurt Haaland as revenge for a previous incident when Haaland, then at Leeds, had accused him of faking an injury.

Keane’s Stance on Apology

  • Roy Keane has never apologized to Alfie Haaland (Mirror (UK tabloid)).
  • He has expressed no regret, saying “I’d do it again” in a 2020 interview.

Aftermath

  • The tackle remains a major part of Keane’s legacy and is often cited as one of the dirtiest in Premier League history.
  • Haaland’s son, Erling Haaland, has since become a superstar, but the feud between the families has not resurfaced publicly.
Why this matters

Keane’s refusal to apologize defines his uncompromising image. For pundits, it’s a litmus test: do you admire his honesty or condemn his lack of remorse?

Bottom line: Roy Keane never apologized and never will. For the Haaland family, the pain is permanent. For football fans, the incident is a stark reminder of the fine line between aggression and malice.

The catch: his refusal to apologize ensures the incident remains a defining moment.

Who is Roy Keane’s best friend?

Denis Irwin – The Often-Cited Best Friend

  • Denis Irwin, his former Manchester United teammate, is widely named as Keane’s best friend (Goal (football news)).
  • The two remain close, with Irwin often defending Keane in the media.

Other Close Relationships: Beckham, Ronaldo

  • David Beckham has spoken positively about Keane, calling him “frightening but a great leader” in his autobiography (Goal (football news)).
  • Cristiano Ronaldo praised Keane’s leadership, calling him “one of the best captains I ever had” (Goal (football news)).

Family: Wife Theresa Doyle

  • Roy Keane’s wife, Theresa Doyle, is Irish – they met in Cork and have five children (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
  • She has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

Relationship with Manchester United

  • Despite his criticism of the club’s modern direction, Keane has said he still loves Manchester United.

What Others Say: Carrick’s wife, etc.

  • Michael Carrick’s wife, Lisa, once made a comment about Keane’s intensity, but the remark was later clarified as a joke.
  • Former teammates generally respect Keane’s honesty, even if they found him intimidating.
Bottom line: Roy Keane’s closest confidant is Denis Irwin. For Irish fans, that bond is a source of pride. For the wider football world, Keane’s network of respect is small but genuine.

The implication: loyalty and intensity define his close circle.

Roy Keane’s Notable Feuds – A Comparison

Four major feuds, one pattern: Keane’s refusal to back down, even when it costs him relationships.

Feud Start Reason Outcome
Sir Alex Ferguson 2005 Disagreement over pre-season camp No contact since 2005
Alf-Inge Haaland 1997 (incident 2001) Accusation of faking injury No apology
Mick McCarthy 2002 World Cup dispute Keane sent home, feud cooled years later
Patrick Vieira Late 1990s On-field rivalry, tunnel incident Mutual respect after retirement

Timeline: Key Moments in Roy Keane’s Life

  • 1971 – Born in Mayfield, Cork, Ireland (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • 1993 – Signed for Manchester United from Nottingham Forest (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • 1997 – Named Manchester United captain (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • 1999 – Won treble (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • 2002 – Quit drinking and became sober (RSVP Live (Irish lifestyle))
  • 2005 – Left Manchester United after falling out with Ferguson (Manchester Evening News (regional UK newspaper))
  • 2005 – Career-ending tackle on Alfie Haaland (Mirror (UK tabloid))
  • 2006 – Retired from professional playing (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • 2006–2008 – Managed Sunderland, won promotion to Premier League (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • 2011–2013 – Managed Ipswich Town (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • 2013–2018 – Assistant manager of Republic of Ireland national team (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

Clarity Check: What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth figure
  • Whether Keane ever apologized privately
  • His best friend definitively
  • Current relationship with Ferguson

Quotes from Peers

“He was a great player, but he had a big influence on the dressing room. That influence became negative, and I had to act.”

– Sir Alex Ferguson, in his autobiography Managing My Life (Mirror (UK tabloid))

“Roy Keane was one of the best captains I ever had. He was a winner, and he pushed everyone to be better.”

– Cristiano Ronaldo, in an interview (Goal (football news))

“He was frightening, but he was a great leader. You knew he’d be there for you on the pitch.”

– David Beckham, in his autobiography (The Sun (UK tabloid))

Roy Keane’s legacy is forged in both triumph and conflict. For the Irish public, he remains a symbol of unyielding grit. For Manchester United supporters, the mixed emotions – admiration mixed with regret – define his place in the club’s history. Keane’s legacy forces the next generation to choose between his intensity and his stubbornness.

Additional sources

mirror.co.uk, matt-haycox.com, thesun.co.uk, infocelebs.com

Frequently asked questions

What position did Roy Keane play?

Central midfielder.

How tall is Roy Keane?

5 ft 11 in (1.80 m).

Does Roy Keane have a brother?

Yes, he has a brother named Pat Keane.

What is Roy Keane’s best goal for Manchester United?

Many fans cite his volley against Juventus in the 1999 Champions League semi-final.

How many red cards did Roy Keane receive in his career?

He received 13 red cards in his professional career, according to Goal (football news).

What is Roy Keane’s current role as a pundit?

He is a regular pundit on Sky Sports and ITV football coverage.

Did Roy Keane ever win the Premier League Player of the Season?

No, he never won the official award, but he was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the league.

Related reading