-Credit:Instagram: @officialkeane16
Roy Keane returns to our screens this weekend as part of ITV’s coverage of the FA Cup.
As a player, the Manchester United legend was one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four Community Shields and a Champions League during his 12-year stint with the Red Devils.
After hanging up his boots, Keane went into management with Sunderland and Ipswich Town, while he also held coaching positions with the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and former club Nottingham Forest.
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However, it is as a pundit where the Irishman has really come into his own in recent years, having developed a reputation as one of the most outspoken and matter-of-fact experts in the game. His fiery opinions on some aspects of modern football follows on from his fearsome reputation on the pitch, with the former midfielder used to striking fear into opponents on a weekly basis.
Away from football, however, Keane has showed his softer side, with his venture into social media allowing him to share some light-hearted moments involving him and his family.
The 53-year-old has been married to his wife Theresa Doyle since 1997, having met her five years earlier while playing for Forest.
Describing how they met, Keane once said: “I spotted a beautiful girl in a club in town. Her name was Theresa Doyle but she blanked me. 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. Eventually, after her relationship broke up, she relented and we went out together. I was in love.”
While Theresa tends to stay out of the limelight, she has been a “rock” to Keane, with the former footballer telling The Sunday Times: “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. 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.”
Together, Keane and Theresa have five children – Shannon, Caragh, Aidan, Leah and Alanna – as well as two grandchildren.
There is another footballing connection in the family, however, as Leah – affectionally referred to by her dad as ‘Number 4’ – recently got engaged to Southampton and England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who she has reportedly been in a relationship with for the past five years.
The private couple revealed in November that they had got engaged in the summer, sharing a photo of the 22-year-old footballer getting down on one knee on a yacht, against the backdrop of Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. In the caption, Leah wrote simply: “‘I can’t wait to marry you.”
The announcement came shortly before Harwood-Bellis was called up to the England squad by interim boss Lee Carsley, with the Saints man marking his debut for the Three Lions with a goal. However, it was a “bittersweet” moment for Keane, who was watching on from the punditry box, as that goal came in a 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
On duty for ITV, Keane jokingly fired a warning at the defender over his engagement to Leah, remarking: “It’s not done and dusted yet!” He added: “Listen, things can change really quickly in the Keane household!”
However, he then gave Harwood-Bellis an official seal of approval as he added: “Over the last few months he’s definitely been a goal threat playing for Southampton, it’s nice for him.
“It’s great for him to make his debut, as I said he’s a bit of a goal threat. He’s a nice kid, his family has done a great job.”