Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Roy Keane has revealed he was turned off of signing Match of the Day pundit Robbie Savage when he was Sunderland manager because of the Welshman's answer phone.
In his new autobiography, The Second Half, then-Sunderland manager Keane writes how he was interested in signing Savage from Blackburn Rovers but was put off before even speaking to the Welsh international.
"I rang Mark Hughes Robbie [Savage] wasn’t in the Blackburn team and I asked Mark if we could try to arrange a deal," writes the former Manchester United captain.
"Sparky said: 'Yeah, yeah, he’s lost his way here but he could still do a job for you.' Robbie’s legs were going a bit but I thought he might come up to us [at Sunderland], with his long hair, and give us a lift – the way Yorkie [Dwight Yorke] had, a big personality in the dressing room.
"Sparky gave me permission to give him a call. So I got Robbie’s mobile number and rang him. It went to his voicemail: 'Hi, it’s Robbie – whazzup!' like the Budweiser ad. I never called him back. I thought: 'I can’t be fucking signing that.'"
After reading the passage, a clearly delighted Savage took to Twitter to post a series of messages on the situation as he remembers it.
He explained that he wanted to move to Derby as it was closer to home, though he was clearly delighted at being rated by the Irish legend. He even offered his followers a golf shoe signed by Paul Scholes, Michael Vaughan and Owen Hargreaves for the best answer phone message.
Derby were relegated that season while Sunderland finished 15th and remained in the top flight.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments