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Roy Keane v Keith Andrews: a tale of two assistant managers

As Roy Keane speaks out again, we look back at the differences between the current and previous I...



Roy Keane v Keith Andrews: a t...
Soccer

Roy Keane v Keith Andrews: a tale of two assistant managers

As Roy Keane speaks out again, we look back at the differences between the current and previous Ireland assistant managers; Keane and Keith Andrews.

Keane spoke on all manner of topics in his interview with the Sunday Independent, including the assistant manager's role with the Republic of Ireland.

He spoke about Andrews' current role - and his former one - in the Ireland setup, while talking of enjoying his own current circumstances.

"I do love my freedom at the moment, I love not being under contract. I miss the Irish [assistant manager] job, honestly, I really enjoyed that. People like Seamus Coleman, Seamus McDonagh, Steve Guppy. Ah listen, I loved it.

"If I can make one point about the new Irish staff. I've heard a lot of bullshitters over the last 10 years and Keith Andrews is up there with the best of them."

Keith Andrews and Roy Keane

In his previous role on the Keith Andrews Show, Andrews spoke of the difference in modern coaching compared to what he felt Keane was bringing to the role.

This was from soon after the Harry Arter/Jonathan Walters training camp argument.

"Roy Keane is an iconic figure in Irish sport.

"As a player, with the history of Saipan, red cards, comings together as a player - he was very highly strung. No problem, because he was a driving force on the pitch and he set standards. But that was in a different era; football has changed and society has changed in the last 10 to 15 years.

"Now [that is, in 2018, when Keane was in place] Roy is in a responsible role. His job title is assistant manager, and I just think that he is not assisting the manager."

Protect & serve

Drawing on his own experiences, Andrews explained where he felt Keane was going wrong in the role.

"The role of the staff at a football club is to ultimately get the most out of the players to go and get a result at senior level.

"He is in a very responsible role, so he should be looking after those players and treating them like his kids: 'I need to protect this group.'"

At the time, Andrews' concerns about a role that he'd ultimately adopt were underpinned by a respect for Keane's achievements.

"He could have players running through brick walls for him. Because he is on that pedestal; he is an iconic player.

"If I was playing central midfield, was involved in a squad and had him there - I would be itching for every little bit of advice."

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Ireland Keith Andrews Republic Of Ireland Roy Keane