Roy Keane twice tried to sell stunning Hale mansion with retirement plan in place
Roy Keane has made a name for himself as one of the UK's most respected pundits but the former Manchester United star is looking to step away from television in the near future
Manchester United icon Roy Keane looks to have a retirement plan in place - however his luxury mansion could scupper his ambitions. The former Republic of Ireland captain made his debut as a pundit in 2011 after calling time on his playing career in 2006.
Since then he has become a staple on Sky Sports and ITV offering cutting and incisive, but often humorous, takes on the game. However, Keane, 53, has previously said he intends to bow out of the analysis game when he advances into his 60s.
The ex-United star also said he aims to move abroad. Yet his pricey estate, located in Hale, Greater Manchester, could hold him back, with the ex-Sunderland boss putting it up for sale twice over the years, with no buyer in sight.
Keane and his wife Theresa purchased the 1.2 acre plot in 2005 for around £3.2 million. Back in 2010, following a series of renovations, the property was listed for an eye-watering £9.5m, but he failed to shift the mansion.
However, it was then re-listed in from 2018-2019 for a cut-price of £6.45m, still, no buyer materialised. The difficulty in selling the house will no doubt be a hindrance to the iconic Premier League winner who has carefully outlined his ideas once his punditry era comes to an end.
"I don’t think I’ll be doing punditry in 10 years' time," he said on a previous episode of the Stick to Football podcast.
"I love football but the hassle of matches, getting to games and the hassle of fans. The games are fine. Getting to the games, parking up, people shouting your name - good stuff, bad stuff - it’s a nuisance. Being a pundit in 10 years, not."
He also opened up on his desire to move away from the UK on another instalment of the show. “In the next couple of years, I reckon I will be moving abroad... putting it out there,” Keane said. “Switzerland, maybe? Switzerland is beautiful.”
Despite Keane being lumbered with his property for now, there are much worse homes someone could find themselves living in. His abode is protected from onlookers by the tall trees that line the leafy cul-de-sac, supported by an array of dense shrubs.
The sprawling grounds speak more to a countryside manor, rather than a suburban home. It features an outdoor swimming pool with an independent pool house and tennis courts.
A three-car garage and a separate annex are included. The 9,500 sq ft residence has a grand entrance hall which leads into either the study, drawing room or games room, which contains a full-sized snooker table.
A huge sitting area, an impressive kitchen and dining area compliment six reception rooms on the ground floor. While an office area, secondary kitchen and utility room also adorn the home.
An enormous 28’ x 25’ master bedroom features an en-suite, dressing rooms and a four-poster bed with what appears to be a mirrored ceiling. The annex houses a further five bedrooms on this floor with an additional two bedrooms situated on the second floor.
Regardless of all its grandeur, whether anyone will come forward to stump up for the property is anyone's guess, with maybe its asking price just too high.
Even at its last knock-down price of £6.45m, it was still six times more expensive than the standard detached property in an area, with the average asking price coming in at £1.7m for five-bed homes.