Reviews of classic and contemporary sports books – my personal take on the sports books I've read (and mostly loved).

Tragic hero: the trials and tribulations of Aston Villa assistant manager Roy Keane, as told by Roddy Doyle. Keane turning to Ferguson in front of the assembled Manchester United squad to say: “You, gaffer, we need fuckin’ more from you. As Oedipus or Othello might have explained in a post-match interview, at the end of the day, Brian, life just isn’t fair. A dominating central-midfielder, Keane was noted for his aggressive and highly-competitive style of play, an attitude which helped him excel as captain of Manchester United from 1997 until his departure in 2005. Both men have the tragic hero’s solipsistic view of the world, the sense that compromise – seeing the other guy’s point of view – would be a sign of weakness.I’ve had enough of all this,” which prompted the midfielder to round on his manager, replying: “You as well gaffer.

Some of the most interesting passages centre on Manchester United managers of times gone by, as Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes enter the firing line of a man whose bite is as fearsome as his beard. That speak for what is right Keane got into a argument with his manager because his manager was screwing the whole irish side. Keano rarely fails to entertain and with a ghost outrider such as Roddy Doyle, we get a snappy, snapping tale,, with Keane putting the boot into those he considers deserving but also not sparing the rod on himself. But passages in isolation do not capture the sheer self-rightous, Where the Wild Things Are pride of both parties. He's not afraid to tell his story the way it is and not afraid of portraying himself in a bad light, which takes guts.His 19 trophies put him at the top of the list alongside fellow Manchester United alumnus Denis Irwin. I soon learned that if you weren’t on your game he would be on top of you to make sure you were playing your part for the team. People have their own opinions of Roy and some would be fearful of him, given how outspoken he can be.

But in the sphere of sport he was able to captain one of the most successful sides in world football. And I told him that I didn’t think it was good for the club, the manager in a legal dispute with shareholders. I admire Keane’s refusal to abandon his working-class background, his principles, his work ethic, and his lack of desire for celebrity despite being the anchor and centerpiece for one of the biggest football clubs on the planet. Overall the story is of a fascinating life of a determined figure whose achievements have been matched by controversies caused largely by the same determination and qualities that led to his success in the first place.It will be interesting to see how those mentioned publicly react to a book which prides itself on brutal honesty. So, personally, I am hoping a subsequent edition (or second volume) will cover these episodes in Keane’s soccer career.