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Ipswich back in spotlight with Keane appointment

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Roy Keane is back, with a new gig as manager of Ipswich Town.

Whatever else the appointment will do, this seems a surefire way for Ipswich to reacquaint themselves with the spotlight. Keane generates a huge amount of interest in Britain and considering he’s already engineered one successful promotion campaign, with Sunderland, it could be a good move from a purely footballing point of view as well (assuming he has some money to spend).

Ipswich, of course, have had a few very high profile managers. The list includes Alf Ramsey and (for a brief spell) Jackie Milburn, as well as Robson, and that’s just the footballing royalty.

Will Keane’s stay be as fleeting as Milburn’s or will that legendary charisma help him do for the club what Ramsey and Robson managed? Ipswich were one of the biggest clubs in England when I was growing up, in the age of Robson, Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen.

How exotic those two Dutch names seemed then, eh?

FILE PHOTO: Then Manchester United captain Roy Keane tackles Ipswich Town’s Hermann Hreidarsson during their Premier League match at Portman Road August 22, 2000.

Friday afternoon question: Should Giggs win PFA player of the year?

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Ryan Giggs has probably never received the recognition he deserves for his contribution to Manchester United’s success over the last 15 years.

No other player has collected the full set of medals for all the silverware which has filled the Old Trafford trophy cabinet over that time. Yet several, including Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo, have received the major individual awards which have eluded the man who has played more games for United than anyone else.

If Keane could not command respect, who can?

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Roy Keane quitting as Sunderland boss

was not a huge shock but I’m surprised by reports many of the players were happy about his departure.

The former Manchester United midfielder seemed an inspired appointment by chairman Niall Quinn two years ago despite having no managerial experience — apart from playing under Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson.

Don’t blame Gallas — he was trying to do a captain’s job

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“There’s a lot of cover-ups sometimes and players need to stand up and be counted. I’m not sure that happens a lot at this club.” — Roy Keane, May 7, 2002.

“When you play for Manchester United nothing should interfere with what you are doing during the week and during a match. I have felt that one or two of the younger players have slackened off in training. I have not been happy about it. I have said it to them but maybe I have had to say it in public for them to sit up and take notice.” — Roy Keane, Feb 19, 2004.

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