Happy Birthday, Roy Keane! (August, 10, 1971)

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Roy Maurice Keane (born 10 August 1971, Cork, Ireland) is an Irish former professional footballer and the current manager of English Premier League club Sunderland, the winners of the 2006-07 Coca-Cola Championship. A dominating central-midfielder, Keane has been hailed as one of the greatest players to grace the game in the modern era. In a highly successful sixteen-year career, he played for Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest and, most notably, Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic F.C. 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. Keane helped United achieve a period of unprecedented success throughout his twelve-year tenure, during which he established himself as one of the greatest players in the club's history. He played at international level for much of his career, representing the Republic of Ireland over a period of fourteen years, most of which he spent as captain. In the 1994 FIFA World Cup he played in every game although he was sent home from the 2002 World Cup after an argument with then-manager Mick McCarthy. During his first season as Sunderland manager, he took the club from twenty-third position in the Coca-Cola Championship to the top of the table. His side were promoted to the Premiership on April 29, 2007 and were confirmed as league champions a week later. Keane's arrival has been largely attributed as the catalyst for Sunderland's remarkable recovery.