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      in Soccer

      Inside the life of Man Utd legend Roy Keane – from 20-year marriage to wife Theresa to his controversial playing career

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      ON the pitch, he was the enforcer at Nottingham Forest, Man Utd and CelticOff it, he’s a milder family man, loyal husband of wife of 20-years Theresa, father of five kids and a generous son.
      Off the pitch, Roy Keane, pictured with wife of 20-years Theresa, is a mild family manCredit: Getty – Contributor
      On the pitch, Keane was the hardman of British football at Manchester UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      In recent years, Roy Keane, 49, has reinvented himself as a TV pundit on Sky Sports – championed for his sharp analysis, rapport with Micah Richards and wicked sense of humour.
      He has now thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Celtic manager’s job, and is one of the hot favourites for the role.
      But, away from football, the Ireland legend lives a very private life.
      THERESA DOYLE
      Last month Keane surprised us all when he set up an Instagram page, where he’s uploaded pictures of his family, including his grandchildren.
      Still missing from it, though, is his wife of 20-years, Theresa Doyle.
      The pair met in 1992, when the midfielder was playing for Forest under Brian Clough.
      “I spotted a beautiful girl in a club in town. Her name was Theresa Doyle but she blanked me,” Keane once revealed of his encounter with the Nottingham-born beauty.
      “She was in a steady relationship and didn’t seem at all impressed by Roy Keane, the great footballer. In fact, I think my reputation was as a downer for all kinds of reasons.
      “From time to time we ran into each other around Nottingham. I knew some of her friends, who told me Theresa was a dentist’s assistant.

      Theresa Doyle, far right, has been married to Keane for 20-years and he describes her as his ‘rock’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Family man Keane joined Instagram and has been sharing pictures of his grandchildrenCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Since setting up an Instagram account in February, Keane has amassed 1.3m followersCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      “Eventually, after her relationship broke up, she relented and we went out together. I was in love.”
      They got married in a private ceremony at the Church of Our Lady Crowned in Mayfield, Cork, where Keane is from.
      Keane rarely mentions his wife in public, but once opened up about their relationship in a revealing interview with the Sunday Times in the early 2000s.
      “I don’t really mention her in public, but in fairness to her, she has been a rock in my life. Just brilliant. She reads me better than I read myself,” Keane said.
      “I wouldn’t say Theresa likes every part of the package. She knows I haven’t got a halo over my head. Actually, that’s what she likes about me. She also knows I am not the nastiest person in the world.”
      FIVE CHILDREN
      Keane and Theresa have five children together, Shannon, Caragh, Aidan, Leah and Alanna.
      Even though the former footballer has tasted plenty of success on the football pitch, nothing comes close to spending time with his family.
      Even though he enjoyed plenty of success at Manchester United, Keane longed for family time instead of celebrating with team-matesCredit: Reuters
      Keane has five children with wife TheresaCredit: SNS
      In his autobiography, when writing about winning the Champions League in 1999, Keane said he “longed to go home to Theresa and the kids” and wasn’t interested in celebrating with his team-mates.
      However, despite his wish to spend more time with them after hanging up his boots, he previously admitted that they wanted him to get back to work after just two months.
      “My plan when I first stopped was, we’re going to go on some family trips, we’re going to be like the Waltons,” Keane joked.
      “We’re all going to spend time together, go walk in the park and after a month or two they didn’t have the same plan as me so I think they were kind of missing me going to work.
      “I got offered the job at Sunderland and I was away on a family holiday and my family were looking at me… not saying it directly but going we kind of enjoy your company but not too much of it so when the job came back up they were saying you should go for it.”
      MEET THE PARENTS
      Roy’s late father Maurice ‘Mossie’ Keane met his mum Marie at a local dance, and they married in 1963.
      They moved to the Mayfield suburb in Cork, where they raised five children, Denis, Johnson, Hilary, Roy and Pat.
      Keane shared a tight bond with his parents Maurice and MarieCredit: Sky
      Generous Keane bought his parents a home in the countryside in RathpeaconCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Keane always shared a close bond with his parents and regularly made sure they had tickets to watch his games at Forest and United.
      The generous son also bought them a home in the countryside in nearby Rathpeacon.
      In 2019, Keane was devastated when his Maurice passed away after battling illness. He was 79.
      AS A PLAYER
      When Keane was a schoolboy, he began playing football for local side Rockmount AFC.
      From there, he moved to Irish First Division team Cobh Ramblers of County Cork in 1989.
      Keane was spotted by ex-scout Noel McCabe, who immediately recommended the talent to Brian Clough.
      After impressing on a trial, he moved to Nottingham in 1990 and blossomed into one of the best young midfielders in the country.
      At Nottingham Forest Keane blossomed into one of the country’s best midfieldersCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      In 1993 Manchester United paid a British transfer record fee of £3.75m to buy KeaneCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Sir Alex Ferguson brought Keane to Manchester United in 1993 for a British transfer record fee of £3.75million.
      Keane went on to become one of the Premier League giants’ greatest captains – winning seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, as well as four FA Cups.
      He retired in 2006, after one season in Scotland at Celtic where he played 10 times.
      IRISH FALLOUT
      Keane’s career has been rocked by scandal over the years.
      But nothing hurt more than missing the greatest football competition in the world in 2002.
      Keane played 65 times for Ireland between 1991-2005, but his international career is unfortunately remembered for his fallout with Mick McCarthy before the 2002 World Cup.
      Keane wasn’t happy with the Irish team’s set-up ahead of the prestigious football tournament and left the training camp.
      Keane’s international career is best remembered for his epic fallout with Mick McCarthyCredit: Reuters
      After he returned home from the 2002 World Cup, Keane was seen walking his dogs nearby his homeCredit: Reuters
      After a confrontation with McCarthy at the team hotel, he flew home and was famously quizzed by reporters about his acrimonious exit while walking his dog near his home.
      Without him, Ireland managed to reach the last-16 before they were beaten by Spain on penalties.
      AS A MANAGER
      Now linked with Celtic, Keane has had previous experience managing a club – all with varied success.
      His first job at Sunderland was actually a success in the light of day. He took over the Mackems in 2006 when they second bottom of the Championship.
      In his first season, they managed to win the league and gain promotion. But he stood down from his post before Christmas – with Sunderland struggling in 18th position in the Premier League.
      Keane has had mixed results as a manager, but could he be the next Celtic boss?Credit: EPA

      Then came a spell at Ipswich, where he failed in a promotion bid and was sacked in 2011.
      Keane returned to the international fold as assistant manager to Martin O’Neill, and was a key member of the coaching set-up that saw Ireland qualify Euro 2016.
      O’Neill and Keane left their jobs after a series of inconsistent results left their jobs hanging by a thread – and reunited briefly at Forest in 2019.
      Niall Quinn says refs were ‘scared stiff’ of Roy Keane as he remembers Man Utd getting an undeserved penalty More

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      in Soccer

      Best players to miss out on playing for England in major tournaments, includes Le Tissier, Merson and Gazza

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      IT has left England boss Gareth Southgate with quite the dilemma.The re-emergence of Jesse Lingard, who is starring on-loan at West Ham, could mean Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish or Borussia Dortmund starlet Jadon Sancho getting snubbed for the upcoming Euros.
      Jadon Sancho faces missing out on the England squad for the upcoming EurosCredit: Rex
      Jack Grealish is another star Gareth Southgate could leave at home in the summerCredit: PA
      Lingard was recently recalled by the Three Lions for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
      While Sancho hasn’t been as consistent this term in the Bundesliga, and Grealish has struggled with injury of late after a long, hard impressive season.
      But should Sancho and Grealish miss out on selection, they won’t be the first big name to be left at home for a major tournament.
      Here’s seven more that could’ve counted themselves unlucky at the time to miss out.
      RIO FERDINAND
      In 2012, aged 33, it’s fair to say Rio was past the peak of his powers.
      However, he did still offer a wise and experienced head at the back, and had come off a decent season for Manchester United.
      But Ferdinand was left “gutted” to have been left out of England’s Euro 2012 squad.
      Manager Roy Hodgson explained the decision was made for footballing reasons, but Ferdinand’s omission did avoid any potential conflict with the selected John Terry, who months later faced allegations in court that he racially abused Rio’s brother, Anton.
      Rio Ferdinand was snubbed from the Euro 2012 squadCredit: The FA – Getty Images
      “I admire Rio Ferdinand as a player,” Hodgson explained. “I think he’s a fine footballer and I respect him, but I had to pick a squad with defenders I wanted to take to the Euros.”
      Phil Jones and Joleon Lescott got nods ahead of Ferdinand.
      PAUL GASCOIGNE
      Ex-England boss Glenn Hoddle once described it as the “saddest thing he ever had to do.”
      After Gazza was instrumental in helping his country in the qualifiers, he was told he wouldn’t be going to France ’98.
      The hero two-years earlier at Euro ’96, Gascoigne was given an ultimatum about his fitness. But Hoddle felt he just wasn’t up to it.
      According to reports, Gazza smashed up Hoddle’s hotel room when he was told the news.
      The mercurial midfielder was never picked for England again.
      Gazza was reportedly furious when Glenn Hoddle told him he wouldn’t be picked for the 1998 World CupCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      PAUL MERSON
      Although Merse got the nod ahead of Gazza for France ’98, he could count himself unlucky not to have gone to Italia ’90.
      In fine fine form at Arsenal, and only 22, the ‘Magic Man’ won the PFA Young Player of the Year Award in 1989.
      But Bobby Robson only picked three forwards for the World Cup, with the striking positions being taken by Gary Lineker, Peter Beardsley and Steve Bull.
      Nine midfielders were selected, including a relatively unknown Gazza and Bryan Robson, who struggled with injury and missed the majority of the competition.
      In 1989 Paul Merson was the best young player in the country, but that didn’t get him an England call-up a year later for Italia ’90Credit: Getty – Contributor
      MATT LE TISSIER
      Arguably, the most talented footballer of his generation it’s criminal Le Tissier didn’t get the international recognition he deserved.
      Possibly, because he played for an unfashionable club in Southampton at the time, might’ve been why he was overlooked.
      But the Saints legend only managed eight caps in his career, despite scoring 209 goals for his club.
      Had England qualified for the 1994 World Cup, he might’ve had a chance of being selected.
      He was also overlooked for the 1998 World Cup, even after impressing in an England B game against Russia – scoring a hat-trick.
      A hat-trick playing England B against Russia wasn’t enough to earn Matt Le Tissier a place in the squad for the 1998 World CupCredit: Empics
      TONY ADAMS
      Experience, perhaps, wasn’t on Mr Arsenal’s side when Bobby Robson was selecting his Italia ’90 squad.
      And the formation wouldn’t have been to the Gunners legend’s strengths – playing in a back three, when he was used to a flat back four in North London.
      Adams’ spot went to Mark Wright, a more cultured sweeper who could bring the ball out of defence better than his counterpart.
      At Euro ’92, Martin Keown and Des Walker were the preferred two. However, Adams was restored to the first team before Euro ’96, where he had an outstanding tournament.
      Tony Adams wasn’t selected for Italia ’90 or Euro ’92, but was picked in subsequent tournaments afterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      JERMAIN DEFOE
      In 2014, it was a close call in the striking positions for a partner for Wayne Rooney.
      In fairness to Roy Hodgson, Defoe didn’t do himself any favours by moving to the MLS to play for Toronto months before the squad for the World Cup that year was decided.
      Rickie Lambert, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge were picked instead, leaving Defoe devastated.
      “I don’t think I’ll ever be at peace [with the decision],” the striker said at the time.
      Jermain Defoe was omitted from the 2014 World Cup squad by Roy Hodgson in favour of Rickie LambertCredit: Reuters
      LAURIE CUNNINGHAM
      Good enough for Real Madrid, but not for England.
      The brilliant winger, whose life was tragically cut short at 33 in a car crash, joined Los Blancos after starring at West Brom for £950,000 in 1979. In doing so, he became the first British footballer to move to the LaLiga giants.

      However, Ron Greenwood completely snubbed him from his Euro 1980 squad.
      The following season, Cunningham made the squad for the qualifiers, after bitter negotiations with Real Madrid.
      But after appearing as a sub in a 2-1 defeat to Romania, he would never wear an England jersey again.
      The late Laurie Cunningham found himself on the periphery of the England squad, despite starring for Real MadridCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Watch Harry Maguire search for John Stones after Man Utd star spared partner’s blushes with England winner More

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      in Soccer

      The rise of Celtic manager target Eddie Howe, who credits his mum as his biggest inspiration and once signed his brother

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      FORMER Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is the hot favourite to take the vacant Celtic manager’s post.The Scottish club, who have also been linked with former Manchester United legend Roy Keane, have held secret talks with the English boss, after he met kingmaker Dermot Desmond.
      Eddie Howe masterminded a miracle at Bournemouth and is now the hot favourite for the Celtic jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 43-year-old tactician performed miracles on the South Coast with the Cherries, taking them from near-League Two oblivion to the Premier League in two spells with the club on a limited budget.
      The modest manager credits his mum Anne for being his biggest inspiration as she supported him through his dream of making it in the professional game.
      She even played in goal while her two sons fired shots at her and practiced in the park.
      Anne passed away in March, 2012 following a short illness, which Eddie admitted made him take stock of his life and return to Dean Court after a short stint at Burnley.
      The calm and assured gaffer is very loyal to his family, having once signed his now-retired half-brother Steve for Bournemouth in 2010.
      He also had to conquer the bitter disappointment of his playing days being cut short by a serious knee injury when he was just 29-years-old.
      However, that didn’t stop the grounded Amersham-born coach from rising to the top, sometimes against all the odds, to be touted as a future England coach.
      PLAYING CAREER
      Eddie began his footballing career with Bournemouth, making his debut for the south coast side at the age of just 18.
      Three years later and he was surprisingly called up into the England set-up for the Toulon Tournament alongside the likes of Frank Lampard, Jamie Carragher and Emile Heskey.
      Over the years, Eddie Howe earned the respect of peers like legendary manager Arsene WengerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      As a promising player, Eddie Howe was picked to play for England’s under-21sCredit: PA:Press Association
      What was most surprising about his selection was he was the only League One player selected in the squad.
      In 2002 Harry Redknapp signed the ball-playing centre-half for £400k and he seemed destined for the big stage.
      But in only his second game for the club against Nottingham Forest, Eddie suffered an injury that was going to affect his life forever.
      After jumping to head a ball clear, he heard a click in his left knee. It turned out that he dislocated his knee cap and chipped a bone under the knee.
      It meant that the joint was never the same.
      He had two two operations, but doctors failed to discover he had a micro-fracture and he still felt pain when trying to run.
      Howe visited knee-specialist Dr. Richard Steadman, the man who rebuilt the knees of Alan Shearer and Ronaldo, who told him he would be able to play again but not at the same level.
      Howe told the Telegraph: “At the end, I was a shadow of the player I had been.
      “I was very keen to finish while people remembered me for the player I was rather than the player I had become.
      Eddie Howe suffered a serious knee injury when he was just 24-years-oldCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Eddie Howe knew he would never be the same player again after his knee injuryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “It was really tough, because the biggest challenge I found when I came back was that I wasn’t as effective.
      “I had lost a lot of my attributes that made me the player I was: my pace, my turning ability, my jump.
      “I wasn’t very big for a centre-half so I had to jump well and that was one of my strengths.
      “When I came back I was jumping about two feet lower. I struggled with my identity and I lost what I was.
      “Everyone forgets very quickly what you were and judges you on what you are – and I wasn’t very good. I found that period of my career very, very difficult.”
      He went to Swindon on loan in 2004, but didn’t get a game. Then a successful loan spell at Bournemouth the same year gave him renewed hope.
      In what became known as the “Eddieshare” scheme, Bournemouth’s fans pulled together to raise money to pay the £21,000 transfer fee needed to sign him.
      Eddie repaid their faith by playing for a further three seasons, before he decided it was time to call it a day at 29 – no longer able to play through the pain barrier.
      Eddie Howe was re-signed by Bournemouth after the fans donated money to the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Eddie Howe knew his playing days were over and he went into coachingCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      CATCHING THE COACHING BUG
      During this time Eddie was cutting his teeth coaching the reserve squad, but in September 2008 he was let go when first team manager Kevin Bond lost his job.
      Weeks later, Eddie was back at the club he loved and working with the youth set-up thanks to Jimmy Quinn, who reintroduced the aspiring manager to the fold when he was appointed boss.
      Then, Quinn was fired from the top job in December and Howe became caretaker manager during the interim.
      Despite losing his first two games, Howe was hired permanently in early 2009 and became an overnight success.
      The club managed to overturn a 17-point deficit and survived relegation from League Two.
      The following season Howe inspired his charges to promotion to League One, guiding them to eight wins from their first nine games.
      It was no surprise that mother Anne was there on the terraces, cheering Eddie and his team on.
      After all, she divided her time between Dean Court and Scotland, where Eddie’s half-brother Steve made his name at Dundee, Aberdeen, Falkirk and Partick Thistle.
      Eddie Howe was appointed Bournemouth boss when Jimmy Quinn was fired in 2008Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Steve Lovell played under half-brother Eddie Howe at BournemouthCredit: PA:Press Association
      Eddie Howe managed to overturn a 17-point deficit to save Bournemouth from League Two relegationCredit: PA:Press Association
      BOUGHT HIS HALF-BRO
      It did become easier for her though when Howe bought his brother to Bournemouth on a free transfer in 2010.
      In 2011, Eddie’s future was subject speculation with plenty of clubs coveting the promising coach.
      He joined Burnley, but his world was rocked a year later when his beloved mum Anne passed away.
      Howe was living over 250 miles away in Manchester at the time, and he couldn’t carry on at the Clarets.
      He returned back to Bournemouth in 2012. Three years later he got them promoted to the Premier League.
      He told Bournemouth’s Daily Echo:  “My mum’s death certainly changed my perspective on a lot of things – on life, my career and everything.
      “When something like that happens, it makes you re-evaluate and realise what’s really important.
      “It was incredibly difficult to deal with and still is. When you lose someone you love so suddenly, it is very hard to take.
      Eddie Howe had a brief spell at Bournemouth from 2011-2012Credit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      Eddie Howe quit Burnley after his mum Anne Howe passed away in 2012Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “But when you can’t grieve properly because you are so far away and detached, it is even harder to deal with.
      “That is why coming back to this area and to this football club was a real comfort to me.
      “It certainly had a big impact in my personal life and made me a lot happier off the pitch. I was closer to people who had been affected and could also help them.
      “There were two totally different sides to coming back – the football part and the family side. They are totally different and there were more reasons to me coming back than I could ever talk about publicly.”
      Eddie Howe returned back to Bournemouth and led them to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      DEDICATES IT ALL TO MUM
      Eddie realises that he is where he is today because of how he was brought up by his mum, who he’s incredibly thankful for.
      He told The Telegraph: “I do think the way I was brought up by my mum and the foundations she set me played a big part.
      “Most people will say that your parents and your childhood experiences are so important.
      “I certainly believe that to be the case for me. I was given some very good advice. I was brought up in a loving family and it has made me very focused on my work.
      Eddie Howe believes he is where he is because of his upbringingCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “Her passing away has fired me to try to achieve more in memory of her.
      “She lived for her kids, really … growing up in a house full of boys with football always around.
      “Steve and I were football mad and certainly inspired each other to play.
      “It’s usually the dads who are out in the park kicking ball around until late but it was really me with my brothers.
      “It was very much us with our mum, walking the dog or watching or sometimes acting as a goalkeeper!
      Eddie Howe’s half brother was a striker who played on the south coastCredit: PA:Press Association
      Eddie Howe’s success saw him linked with both the Arsenal and England jobs in the pastCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “She would support us in whatever we wanted to do and sometimes that was making the numbers up.
      “She is a big inspiration in my life because I want to carry on the good start she gave me. I want to make sure I don’t put that to waste.”
      It’s fair to say that Eddie has done far from that, which is why Celtic could do far wrong but appoint this Mr Nice Guy.
      Celtic next manager – Odds slashed on Eddie Howe being appointed Hoops boss as Roy Keane weakens, Trpisovsky enters frame More

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      in Soccer

      Meet Leicester City star James Maddison’s stunning girlfriend Kennedy Alexa, who lived in Los Angeles and is a model

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      LEICESTER CITY ace James Maddison has always been a hit with the ladies.Famously, he dated Love Island star and current girlfriend of Tommy Fury, Molly-Mae Hague.
      Kennedy Alexa is the stunning girlfriend of Leicester City ace MaddisonCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      England ace Maddison is smitten with AlexaCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      Gorgeous brunette Alexa is a modelCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      But now it’s stunning model Kennedy Alexa, 26, who the playmaker has charmed.
      The pair became Instagram official when they shared a snap on Christmas Eve wearing matching pyjamas.
      And Maddison, 24, recently revealed he loved his new girlfriend in a romantic social media post of the pair taking a stroll.
      LA LADY
      The pair have remained tight-lipped on when they first began dating one another.
      And they’re so private, we’re not even sure how they met. But, we can assume it was in late 2020.
      According to her social media, English-born Alexa only moved back to the UK in February.
      Previously, she lived in Los Angeles where she enjoying hiking on Runyon Canyon.
      Alexa used to live in Los Angeles, where she enjoyed hikingCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      The brunette stunner also got into American sports, like baseballCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      Alexa shows off her curves in a sexy swimwear photoshootCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      On Instagram Alexa gives followers a glimpse of her fashion shootsCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      Alexa got into American sports, including baseball.
      She also marched on a Black Lives Matter rally in West Hollywood.
      MODEL CITIZEN
      It’s no surprise that Alexa models for a living.
      A quick glimpse through her Instagram, that has 37,000 followers, shows the gorgeous brunette posing in various fashion shoots.
      Most recently, she shot a campaign for the Princess Polly online boutique.
      Maddison and Alex went Instagram official in matching pyjamas on Christmas eveCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      In recent years Alexa has modelled for the likes of American swimwear brand MontceCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      Alexa moved back to England from America in FebruaryCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      It is not known when Alexa began dating MaddisonCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      Alexa also showed off her amazing bikini body for American swimwear brand Montce.
      In terms of her own fashion style, she has a penchant for Nike Air trainers – showing off her collection online.
      LOVES TO TRAVEL
      Being a model, Alexa gets to travel to some amazing destinations.
      On Instagram, she shared some incredible holidays – from stays in Hawaii to once in a lifetime trips to Prickly Pear Island in the Caribbean island of Anguilla.
      Add trips to Miami for glam photoshoots, life is beautiful for Alexa.
      Alexa loves to travelCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      On Instagram Alexa regularly shares her trips to glam placesCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      Alexa and Maddison have been gushing about each other on social mediaCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa
      Maddison recently told Alexa he loved her on InstagramCredit: Instagram @kennedyalexa

      And being a footballers’ Wag will, no doub’t bring plenty more where that came from.
      In a recent post, ‘Madders’ told Alexa: “Love you.”
      Judging by these snaps, it’s easy to see why.
      Frank Lampard shock candidate to become new England U21s boss with Chelsea hero seen as possible Boothroyd replacement More

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      in Soccer

      Inside the life of Man Utd legend Roy Keane – from 20-year marriage to wife Theresa to controversial playing career

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      ON the pitch, he was the enforcer at Nottingham Forest, Man Utd and CelticOff it, he’s a milder family man, loyal husband of wife of 20-years Theresa, father of five kids and a generous son.
      Off the pitch, Roy Keane, pictured with wife of 20-years Theresa, is a mild family manCredit: Getty – Contributor
      On the pitch, Keane was the hardman of British football at Manchester UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      In recent years, Roy Keane, 49, has reinvented himself as a TV pundit on Sky Sports – championed for his sharp analysis, rapport with Micah Richards and wicked sense of humour.
      He has now thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Celtic manager’s job, and is one of the hot favourites for the role.
      But, away from football, the Ireland legend lives a very private life.
      THERESA DOYLE
      Last month Keane surprised us all when he set up an Instagram page, where he’s uploaded pictures of his family, including his grandchildren.
      Still missing from it, though, is his wife of 20-years, Theresa Doyle.
      The pair met in 1992, when the midfielder was playing for Forest under Brian Clough.
      “I spotted a beautiful girl in a club in town. Her name was Theresa Doyle but she blanked me,” Keane once revealed of his encounter with the Nottingham-born beauty.
      “She was in a steady relationship and didn’t seem at all impressed by Roy Keane, the great footballer. In fact, I think my reputation was as a downer for all kinds of reasons.
      “From time to time we ran into each other around Nottingham. I knew some of her friends, who told me Theresa was a dentist’s assistant.

      Theresa Doyle, far right, has been married to Keane for 20-years and he describes her as his ‘rock’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Family man Keane joined Instagram and has been sharing pictures of his grandchildrenCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Since setting up an Instagram account in February, Keane has amassed 1.3m followersCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      “Eventually, after her relationship broke up, she relented and we went out together. I was in love.”
      They got married in a private ceremony at the Church of Our Lady Crowned in Mayfield, Cork, where Keane is from.
      Keane rarely mentions his wife in public, but once opened up about their relationship in a revealing interview with the Sunday Times in the early 2000s.
      “I don’t really mention her in public, but in fairness to her, she has been a rock in my life. Just brilliant. She reads me better than I read myself,” Keane said.
      “I wouldn’t say Theresa likes every part of the package. She knows I haven’t got a halo over my head. Actually, that’s what she likes about me. She also knows I am not the nastiest person in the world.”
      FIVE CHILDREN
      Keane and Theresa have five children together, Shannon, Caragh, Aidan, Leah and Alanna.
      Even though the former footballer has tasted plenty of success on the football pitch, nothing comes close to spending time with his family.
      Even though he enjoyed plenty of success at Manchester United, Keane longed for family time instead of celebrating with team-matesCredit: Reuters
      Keane has five children with wife TheresaCredit: SNS
      In his autobiography, when writing about winning the Champions League in 1999, Keane said he “longed to go home to Theresa and the kids” and wasn’t interested in celebrating with his team-mates.
      However, despite his wish to spend more time with them after hanging up his boots, he previously admitted that they wanted him to get back to work after just two months.
      “My plan when I first stopped was, we’re going to go on some family trips, we’re going to be like the Waltons,” Keane joked.
      “We’re all going to spend time together, go walk in the park and after a month or two they didn’t have the same plan as me so I think they were kind of missing me going to work.
      “I got offered the job at Sunderland and I was away on a family holiday and my family were looking at me… not saying it directly but going we kind of enjoy your company but not too much of it so when the job came back up they were saying you should go for it.”
      MEET THE PARENTS
      Roy’s late father Maurice ‘Mossie’ Keane met his mum Marie at a local dance, and they married in 1963.
      They moved to the Mayfield suburb in Cork, where they raised five children, Denis, Johnson, Hilary, Roy and Pat.
      Keane shared a tight bond with his parents Maurice and MarieCredit: Sky
      Generous Keane bought his parents a home in the countryside in RathpeaconCredit: Instagram / @officialkeane16
      Keane always shared a close bond with his parents and regularly made sure they had tickets to watch his games at Forest and United.
      The generous son also bought them a home in the countryside in nearby Rathpeacon.
      In 2019, Keane was devastated when his Maurice passed away after battling illness. He was 79.
      AS A PLAYER
      When Keane was a schoolboy, he began playing football for local side Rockmount AFC.
      From there, he moved to Irish First Division team Cobh Ramblers of County Cork in 1989.
      Keane was spotted by ex-scout Noel McCabe, who immediately recommended the talent to Brian Clough.
      After impressing on a trial, he moved to Nottingham in 1990 and blossomed into one of the best young midfielders in the country.
      At Nottingham Forest Keane blossomed into one of the country’s best midfieldersCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      In 1993 Manchester United paid a British transfer record fee of £3.75m to buy KeaneCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Sir Alex Ferguson brought Keane to Manchester United in 1993 for a British transfer record fee of £3.75million.
      Keane went on to become one of the Premier League giants’ greatest captains – winning seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, as well as four FA Cups.
      He retired in 2006, after one season in Scotland at Celtic where he played 10 times.
      IRISH FALLOUT
      Keane’s career has been rocked by scandal over the years.
      But nothing hurt more than missing the greatest football competition in the world in 2002.
      Keane played 65 times for Ireland between 1991-2005, but his international career is unfortunately remembered for his fallout with Mick McCarthy before the 2002 World Cup.
      Keane wasn’t happy with the Irish team’s set-up ahead of the prestigious football tournament and left the training camp.
      Keane’s international career is best remembered for his epic fallout with Mick McCarthyCredit: Reuters
      After he returned home from the 2002 World Cup, Keane was seen walking his dogs nearby his homeCredit: Reuters
      After a confrontation with McCarthy at the team hotel, he flew home and was famously quizzed by reporters about his acrimonious exit while walking his dog near his home.
      Without him, Ireland managed to reach the last-16 before they were beaten by Spain on penalties.
      AS A MANAGER
      Now linked with Celtic, Keane has had previous experience managing a club – all with varied success.
      His first job at Sunderland was actually a success in the light of day. He took over the Mackems in 2006 when they second bottom of the Championship.
      In his first season, they managed to win the league and gain promotion. But he stood down from his post before Christmas – with Sunderland struggling in 18th position in the Premier League.
      Keane has had mixed results as a manager, but could he be the next Celtic boss?Credit: EPA

      Then came a spell at Ipswich, where he failed in a promotion bid and was sacked in 2011.
      Keane returned to the international fold as assistant manager to Martin O’Neill, and was a key member of the coaching set-up that saw Ireland qualify Euro 2016.
      O’Neill and Keane left their jobs after a series of inconsistent results left their jobs hanging by a thread – and reunited briefly at Forest in 2019.
      Niall Quinn says refs were ‘scared stiff’ of Roy Keane as he remembers Man Utd getting an undeserved penalty More

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      in Soccer

      Meet FC Not Alone, an amateur team from London set up to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing

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      IN 2017, university student Matthew Legg was suffering with severe depression that threatened to take over his life.He deferred his studies and picked up the phone to his cousin, Ian McKenzie in search of advice.
      Matthew Legg, left, was suffering depression and reached out to cousin Ian McKenzie, right, for helpCredit: Instagram @fcnotalone
      In 2018, the two set up FC Not Alone that aims to raise mental health awarenessCredit: Jack Margerison
      The two got talking, and through a mutual love of football, Legg, 24, was able to see light at the end of the tunnel.
      In 2018, they decided to create FC Not Alone, a team that aims to raise mental health awareness, as well as the wellbeing of the players involved.
      Their idea has encouraged men to be open about their feelings and any uncertainties in their lives.
      While the Duke of Cambridge Prince William and England boss Gareth Southgate have also lent their support to their cause.
      CLOSE TO GIVING UP
      At his lowest ebb, Legg told BBC Sport, “there were times when I thought I was near giving up in my fight to recover.”
      Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45.
      Sad statistics reveal that 125 people in the UK take their own lives every week, with 75 per cent of those being male.
      “The depression was taking over every part of my psyche and life, and there were constant problems to tackle,” Legg revealed.
      “Football was massive. I had stopped playing out of shame, lack of energy and embarrassment.
      Through enjoying football, Legg, centre, saw light at the end of the tunnelCredit: Instagram @FCNotAlone
      The cousins played football together before setting up their own teamCredit: Instagram@FCNotAlone
      “But I did play with Ian, and it showed that all was not lost. Each time I played, I gained a glimmer of hope that I could tackle this problem, and I began to enjoy it again.
      “These small glimpses of enjoyment, something that had left my life for so long, were so important to inspire me to keep fighting and try to beat my depression and gave me belief that I could do so.”
      GETTING BETTER
      Through Footy Addicts, a social media platform that allows players to find, organise and play football in London, Legg was able to enjoy the beautiful game again.
      In 2018, Legg and McKenzie were inspired by a campaign from the mental health charity CALM, and wanted to raise funds and awareness about the organisation.
      They decided to launch their own Mental Health World Cup, which featured a team led by Sheffield United star Rhian Brewster.
      The Mental Health World Cup saw a huge turn outCredit: Instagram @fcnotalone
      Sheffield United star Rhian Brewster featured in a team in the tournamentCredit: Instagram @fcnotalone
      “Being huge football fans and with the 2018 World Cup around the corner, Matthew and I set up the team in April 2018, and then decided we would throw our own Mental Health World Cup in support of the charity,” McKenzie, 28, said.
      “It was a 36-team, one-day tournament, and it went better than we could have expected.
      “Rhian Brewster turned up and his team won. Things just took off from there.”
      THE BIRTH OF FC NOT ALONE
      Buoyed by the success and the feedback of their impromptu tournament, Legg and McKenzie were keen to take their idea one step further.
      FC Not Alone was birthed, a club created to tackle the issue of mental health.
      Playing their games in London, they compete in an 11-a-side league against other amateur sides.
      The team features friends, as well as scouted talent, all with the aim of uniting for the cause at hand.
      Credit: Jack Margerison
      “What we want a ‘mental health football club’ to be is a platform where we create friendly footballing scenarios for people from all walks of life to enjoy, and we continue to facilitate stories surrounding mental health,” McKenzie divulged.
      “Fundamentally, it is about becoming a useful resource for people struggling with their own mental wellbeing.
      “We do have a dream to go far in the football pyramid, but our core value is to promote positive men’s mental health.”
      SPEAKING UP
      In just a few years, Matthew and Ian have seen FC Not Alone enjoy a rapid growth.
      They were even invited by the FA to support the Heads Up campaign, where they got to meet Prince William and football manager Gareth Southgate.
      “One of the highlights for us was being part of the FA’s Heads Up campaign, where many celebrities, footballers and role models spoke openly about their experience,” McKenzie said.
      Credit: The FA via Getty Images
      Credit: Ian McKenzie
      You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember, www.uk.movember.com
      Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm

      “My cousin and I had the honour of meeting the Duke Of Cambridge in the dressing rooms at Wembley, and Gareth Southgate at Abbey Stadium in Cambridge.
      “To see how quickly Matthew’s fortunes had turned in the space of the year was a nice feeling.
      “I never would have thought when I first reached out to speak to him during his struggles that life would take us there. That was a great moment and has inspired us to keep going.”
      Ex-Man Utd player Luke Chadwick claims his ‘stomach twisted’ whenever he appeared on TV as he battled depression More

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      in Soccer

      Could Chelsea star Timo Werner be the latest Blues striker flop, after glaring miss for Germany, joining Morata and Co?

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      WHEN you’re inheriting a shirt previously worn by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, you’re going to feel the pressure.Timo Werner joined the Blues from RB Leipzig in a £53million deal, and was expected to propel the West London side to Premier League, as he was handed the No11 jersey.
      Timo Werner has struggled at Chelsea since arriving in a £53million dealCredit: Reuters

      In the Bundesliga, he was one of Europe’s most-feared strikers – netting 34 times in all competitions as he helped his side reach the Champions League semi-finals.
      Yet, in the Premier League it’s a different story for the 25-year-old forward. Just five league goals in 28 games doesn’t look like a good investment by owner Roman Abramovich so far.
      And on Wednesday, a glaring miss in Germany’s shock 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia just summed up his season and his confidence at the moment.
      But Werner isn’t the first high-profile marksman to suffer stage-fright at Stamford Bridge.
      Here’s some others who fell foul to Chelsea’s dreaded striker curse.
      ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO
      AT AC Milan, Shevchenko will always be thought of as one of their greatest strikers of all-time, mentioned alongside greats like Marco van Basten and Gianni Rivera.
      However, it’s a mystery how such a dominant player on the world stage flopped on our shores.
      He joined for £31m in 2006, two years after winning the Ballon d’Or, at his peak at 29.
      In his first season, Shevchenko managed just four Premier League goals in 30 games.
      Andriy Shevchenko was a £31million Stamford Bridge flopCredit: Reuters
      In his second, five goals. Incoming boss Luis Felipe Scolari decided enough was enough, and he was sent on loan back to Milan.
      Then, in 2009 he returned to Dynamo Kiev.
      ALVARO MORATA
      SPANISH centre forward Morata arrived from Real Madrid for £60m – a club record transfer fee.
      But it was the start of things to come after he missed a penalty in a shootout defeat to Arsenal on his debut in the Charity Shield.
      Although he scored 11 Premier League goals, his form on Europe was patchy with just one strike in seven.
      He finished his first season with 15 goals, before scoring 9 in 24 games in all competitions the following campaign.
      Somehow, Chelsea got most of their money back by selling him to Atletico Madrid for £58m.
      Alvaro Morata managed 15 goals in all competitions in his first season and nine the next, but didn’t justify his £60m price tagCredit: PA:Press Association
      FERNANDO TORRES
      SOME Chelsea fans will argue his goal against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Champions League semi-final in 2012 was worth his £50m transfer fee.
      But the reality is Torres was a shadow of the striker that defenders feared coming up against at Anfield when he led Liverpool’s forward line.
      The facts back that up too – with 45 goals in 172 games with the West Londoners.
      Eventually, after loans to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard moved back to Spain.
      Since retiring, he looks fitter than ever and owns his own gyms in Madrid.
      Torres wasn’t a hit at Stamford Bridge, but fans will say his goal in the Champions League semi-final was worth his £50m transfer feeCredit: Reuters
      Since retiring, Torres has hit the gym and his now buff
      ROMELU LUKAKU
      THE giant Belgium striker is flying for club and country, scoring goals for fun at Inter Milan, who are gunning for the Serie A title.
      Lukaku joined Chelsea in 2011 from Anderlecht in a £17m deal, but struggled to dislodge Torres in the first team.
      In his following season, he joined West Brom on loan and was a big success – scoring 17 Premier League goals.
      He was then loaned out to Everton, where again he showed his class as a target man.
      In 2017, Lukaku joined Manchester United for £75m deal. Amazingly, in his six years as a Chelsea player he played just 15 times and failed to hit the back of the net.
      Romelu Lukaku never scored a goal for ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      RADAMEL FALCAO
      COLOMBIAN hitman Falcao scored goals everywhere he went, from Portugal to Spain to France and most recently in Turkey.
      But in England, nothing went right for the usually prolific striker.
      After a dismal spell at Manchester United, Chelsea gave Falcao another opportunity in our league on a season-long loan costing £4m – with the option of making the transfer permanent for £38m, as well as paying him a mega salary of £170,000-per-week.
      However, he struggled for injuries and played just 12 times – scoring one goal.
      Falcao returned back to Monaco, where he re-found his goalscoring touch.
      Radamel Falcao’s loan move to Chelsea proved to be an expensive disasterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      GONZALO HIGUAIN
      FITNESS problems always seemed to be an issue for the Argentina poacher, who was used to the slower game in Italy.
      He was brought to Stamford Bridge on loan in January, 2019 by his former manager at Napoli, Maurizio Sarri.
      Sarri had got so much out of him in Italy, but in England the goals dried up.
      Five goals in 19 games, with the standout being a brace against Huddersfield, didn’t represent Higuain’s prowess in front of goal.
      Since 2020 he has played in the MLS for David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      Maurizio Sarri couldn’t get the best out of Gonzalo Higuain when he managed him at ChelseaCredit: AFP or licensors
      ADRIAN MUTU
      THE Romanian striker’s penchant for getting into bother was his biggest undoing at Stamford Bridge.
      Mutu was a sensation for Parma in Serie A, before he arrived in a £15m deal in London the summer Abramovich arrived as a Premier League owner and changed the football landscape in this country.
      In 2004, he had a fallout with Jose Mourinho over his fitness and later was banned after testing positive for cocaine.
      His off-the-field antics, including allegedly sleeping with a porn star and sucking her blood in a newspaper sting didn’t help his cause either.
      Chelsea sacked him after the cocaine ban and are still seeking damages.
      Adrian Mutu’s off-the pitch antics caught up with the Romanian on the pitchCredit: AFP

      MATEJA KEZMAN
      A FOX in the box at Partizan Belgrade and PSV, Kezman arrived at Stamford Bridge as a reputation as an out-and-out goalscorer.
      Prior to his debut in England, the Serbian scored 38 times in all competitions in Eindhoven.
      At Chelsea, though, something got lost in translation when he was signed by Mourinho for £6m.
      Kezman managed seven goals in 41 games, and was sold for the following season to Atletico Madrid.
      Again, respect to the bean-counters in SW6 for getting their money back in the £6million sale.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Mateja Kezman lasted a season at Stamford Bridge before he was soldCredit: PA:Press Association
      New penalty taker Timo Werner bags brace as Chelsea beat Rennes in the Champions League More

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      in Boxing

      Shakur Stevenson aiming to become FIVE-WEIGHT world champion but sets immediate sights on WBC champ Oscar Valdez

      by

      SHAKUR STEVENSON, as he puts it, likes to dominate in the ring. No 3,000-punch wars, no close fights, zero competitiveness… and you can completely forget about losing.
      Shakur Stevenson, 23, beat Toka Kahn Clary on points back in DecemberCredit: Getty via Top Tank
      Shakur Stevenson won his first world title in October 2019 at featherweightCredit: Getty via Top Rank
      Stevenson deems himself to be the ultimate ring general, who puts in the most economic work. Not someone who purposefully boxes off the back foot, just someone who can do it effortlessly.
      From the age of five, it’s all Stevenson has ever done. Now he’s 23, a former world champion at featherweight and gunning for his second weight class trinket later this year.
      He just seems to be that good. But now he wants elite competition.
      The Newark-born fighter exclusively tells SunSport: “Oscar Valdez got to get it though, seriously. He’s the best fighter at 130lbs other than me.
      “I thought Miguel Berchelt would kill him.”
      Stevenson is talking about Valdez’s epic beatdown and knockout of the year contending stoppage over Berchelt in February, in which the Eddy Reynoso fighter picked up the WBC title at super-featherweight, setting up a huge clash with our main protagonist in the process.
      Mexicans are known for penchant to taste blood in the ring. But Stevenson says he’s too good for that to ever happen to him.
      “I ain’t that type of dude,” he adds.

      “I don’t want to hit you with some six-piece combo s*** and then you hit me back with the same. That don’t mean I’m not willing to dig deep and fight if I have to. I will.
      “But I’m a dominant person, I like to win. I don’t like nothing close, I don’t want competitive fights, I want to dominate my opponents.
      “My style is defensive but I’ve got an all-round style, really. It’s defence first… but if you watch somebody like Erislandy Lara, that’s real defence. He’s moving backwards and around the ring all the time.
      “With me, watch my last fight, I ain’t doing that, I’m right there in front of people but it’s just that they can’t hit me.”
      Floyd Mayweather epitomised the style many young fighters try to emulate, but to varying degrees of success. It looks like it’s working so far with Stevenson, who is backed by figureheads Andre Ward and Terence Crawford in his corner.
      Ward, one of the most defensively-gifted fighters of his generation, and Crawford, arguably boxing’s best finisher today, have both been there to help guide Stevenson’s career expertly until now.
      “From an offensive standpoint, having Terence is a big thing, he’s helped me all throughout my career,” Stevenson explains. “Watching him in camps, I learned more watching Terence than listening to anyone.
      Terence Crawford has helped mentor Shakur Stevenson throughout his careerCredit: Getty via Top Rank
      “I watch him spar, I see how he sits down on his punches, he’s a great role model, he’s one of the best boxers in the world and nobody can beat him.
      “We been playing ping pong, too. I started recently, I got really good and I love it. Terence is damn good and he loves it too, I been playing him a lot.”
      Not only does a fight with Valdez loom for Stevenson, the winner of this weekend’s WBO title fight between Carl Frampton and Jamel Herring will illuminate bright on Stevenson’s radar.
      The 23-year-old can pick whichever of the two he wants to fight later this year for a piece of the 130lbs division.
      He wants Valdez, but he’s ready for a trip to Belfast for Frampton if the situation presents itself.
      “I think Jamel Herring will win,” Stevenson says. “But if I have to travel for a Frampton fight, I would do it.”
      Oscar Valdez knocked out Miguel Berchelt in February and could face Stevenson this yearCredit: Getty via Top Rank
      And Stevenson won’t stop there. “I can go to 140lbs to 147lbs, for sure. A lot of people think I’m little but I’m not.
      “With my skillset, I know I won’t be outgunned going to the higher weights.”
      At lightweight, young American stars Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and undisputed champ Teofimo Lopez run things. But Stevenson warns he’ll be there sooner or later.
      “Maybe I’ll be the one on the back end at 135lbs to be the last man standing,” he says.
      “We’re going to have to see each other regardless. Tank [Davis] ain’t getting any bigger, I’m the one getting bigger.
      “So we got to sit back and wait and see how things play out.”
      Shakur Stevenson has been trained by Kay Koroma for his whole careerCredit: Getty via Top Rank
      The truth is, titles and glory look destined to fall into Stevenson’s lap. Trained by Kay Koroma and his grandfather Willie Moses, he admits his undying love for a sport in which fledgling fighters can become often become detached before reaching their projected levels.
      “My grandfather took me to the boxing gym that was it, I fell in love. I knew I would in this position now. I had my first fight at eight,” he says.
      “Around 14 or 15 I realised I’m gonna take boxing seriously and make some big money off it. And that’s what I’m doing.” More