Roy Keane backs himself for promotion

Roy Keane, once the heartbeat of Manchester United, begins his new life in the English Championship on Sunday with his Ipswich Town side taking on Coventry City.

And the colourful and controversial Irishman is in no doubt that his team have the players and the ability to climb into the Premier League.

“I believe we have a very good chance of promotion and I want to be looking ahead to the Premier League this time next year,” said Keane, who may include new 1.7-million-pound Hungarian striker Tamas Priskin, who has moved from Watford, in his team on Sunday.

But before a ball is kicked, he knows where Ipswich need to improve.

“We need to show a lot more energy and pace. Ipswich were too predictable last season,” the manager told the East Anglia Daily Times.

“If I don’t get the club promoted inside my two year contract then I shall be a failure.

“Any decent manager can lead a side to half-way in the Championship and I want to be the best manager around.”

Keane also believes that Ipswich, tucked away in England’s sleepy east, need to discover a harder mentality.

“I have not bumped into one angry person yet,” he said. “No road rage, no nothing. Everybody is enjoying life, and that is fine.

“But the team has been too nice perhaps sometimes, and playing away at places like Sheffield United you need to show a tough side. And this is what we are aiming to instill.”