IPSWICH TOWN: Roy Keane left the Blues insisting that he was still confident of turning things around at Portman Road.

Following his dismissal from Town, the Irishman issued a statement through the League Managers Association (LMA) and he expressed his huge disappointment.

“I have a genuine belief that we were making progress and that the players have what it takes to turn this season around,” said Keane.

“We were preparing well for our visit to Chelsea on Sunday and then our Carling Cup semi-final with Arsenal.

“Getting to that semi-final proves what I know the team is capable of.

“I was also working hard to build the squad during the transfer window, looking at our options to attract new players to the club.

“I’m hugely disappointed to be leaving Portman Road.

“Results haven’t been as good as I’d have hoped so far this season and when results aren’t good the manager gets the sack, that’s the game.

“However I have loved my time at Ipswich, living locally to the club with my family, and have a massive respect for the club, its staff, the fans and the community and I wish them well.”

Eamon Dunphy the former fellow Irish international, who ghosted Keane’s autobiography in 2002, believes Keane is not suited for management.

“Results have been very poor, and he has been sniping at the club for not giving him money to buy players,” said Dunphy.

“I don’t think he is cut-out for management.

“His record at Sunderland was okay, but the constant stories of reported fights with players and his public denunciation of his own players are bad signs.

“I don’t think Roy Keane is cut-out temperamentally for management. You have to respect other people.

“A lot of his press conferences are bizarre to say the least. Journalists love him because he is always controversial.

“When he arrived at Ipswich in a glare of publicity, and with the targets he set himself, this increased the pressure on what are, basically, ordinary players.”

Dunphy praised the former Manchester United star.

“The other thing to be said about Roy Keane is that he is a remarkable man.

“He has five beautiful children and a very nice wife. He is taking care of his parents and friends in Cork, and he has never forgotten where he has come from.

“There are an awful lot of positives in Roy Keane’s story and in his life.”