Roy Keane knew his value as a player.
He was a key figure at Manchester United during his time at the club, acting as a leader both on and off the pitch. He was a world class midfielder who could elevate any team he was part of.
As a result, he made sure that he was compensated accordingly. He always ensured that he was among the top earners at Old Trafford and had a falling out as a result of contract negotiations on a couple of occasions.
However, it turns out that this attitude also came back to bite him during his managerial career.
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Roy Keane advice came back to bite him in Jonny Evans talks
Roy Keane made some excellent signings during his spell at Sunderland, many of whom had links to former club Manchester United. That includes Jonny Evans, who had two stints on loan at the Stadium of Light while the Cork man was in charge.
Speaking on Stick To Football in association with Sky Bet, Keane recalled how advise he had shared in his own autobiography was used against him by Evans when it came to the contract negotiations.
I remember ringing Jonny, we had done the deal. To be fair, he had come up the previous year when we were in the Championship and done well.
Then we got him back in January. We had to give a £1million loan fee for the second half of the season. Jonny was on about £10,000 per week, but Niall Quinn our chairman said Jonny wants £20,000. I said '£20,000, that's a bit cheeky, he's a young lad on £10,000'.
I ring him and went 'Jonny, what are you doing, you want £20,000?'
He said 'yeah why not, I read your book'. I said 'you read my book?'
He goes 'yeah, in you're book you said you've got to negotiate hard and get as much as you can'. We gave him the £20,000!
He was brilliant.
A shrewd move by Jonny Evans, one that worked out for everyone in the end.
Roy Keane will certainly feel he got plenty of value from that £20,000 per week, with Sunderland going on to finish 15th and retaining their place in the Premier League at the end of the campaign.
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