Steve Coogan has revealed how his Irish heritage profoundly shaped his approach to portraying football manager Mick McCarthy in the new cinematic drama Saipan. The BAFTA-winning actor explained that his ancestral background provided a crucial lens through which to understand the infamous 2002 World Cup bust-up between McCarthy and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane.
Irish Identity and the British Establishment
During an exclusive interview with Sky News, Coogan articulated his complex relationship with British institutions, stating that he doesn't feel compelled to fully integrate into what he terms "the British establishment." The 60-year-old actor, whose mother was born in Ireland alongside his paternal grandparents, described how this perspective has creatively enriched his work.
"I don't feel fully like I want to be part of the British establishment because I feel like, you know, I'm not a royalist by any amount because I see them as a symbol of a sort of colonial approach to the world of which the Irish were nationally victims, historically, and that stuff matters in the way you view things," Coogan explained.
He further elaborated that maintaining this outsider status, bolstered by his Irish roots, has served him well artistically. "I like the feeling of being outside the establishment and having an Irish heritage helps with that. I think it's good creatively not to feel too close to what I would call the British establishment."
The Saipan Controversy Revisited
Saipan delves deep into questions of national identity through the explosive disagreement that occurred between Cork native Roy Keane and then-Ireland manager Mick McCarthy just days before the 2002 World Cup tournament. The conflict centred around McCarthy's management of the Irish squad's training regimen and preparation standards.
Reports from the time suggest Keane questioned McCarthy's Irish credentials, allegedly stating the Barnsley-born manager was "not even Irish" and declaring he lacked respect for him as player, manager, or man. This confrontation ultimately led to Keane's dramatic departure from the team's training camp in Saipan ten days before the competition commenced, creating one of football's most enduring controversies.
Understanding McCarthy's Perspective
Coogan described how McCarthy's own complex Irish identity particularly resonated with him. "Mick McCarthy, who I play, played for Ireland and managed the Irish team, but there's still, because you sound English, there's that whiff of, you're not really one of us, and you sound like the people who colonised us and there's a residue of that, however, that doesn't fully go away, I suppose, and all that interests me very much," the actor revealed.
To ensure an authentic portrayal, Coogan initiated a telephone conversation with McCarthy before filming commenced. Speaking previously on the Under the Cosh podcast, McCarthy confirmed he holds "no axe to grind" against Coogan and appreciated the actor's courtesy in reaching out, though he humorously suggested it could become a "Baby Reindeer" situation if he disliked the film's interpretation.
Keane's Relentless Drive
Reflecting on Keane's mindset during the confrontation, Coogan suggested the footballer's uncompromising standards stemmed from a singular focus on achievement. "I think he was not bothered about whether people personally liked him. It was about whether he was achieving what he was supposed to do. And that is so laser-focused and you need people like that to achieve great things," Coogan observed.
The actor further noted that such intense dedication often comes at personal cost. "And often people who achieve great things are very wanting in other areas because everything is subsumed by this drive and this one direction. And so, it's almost like to have someone who's excellent at one particular thing, to then expect them to be a completely rounded individual is almost impossible."
Contemporary Reflections on Standards
Eanna Hardwicke, who portrays Roy Keane in the film, offered his perspective on the footballer's notorious standards. "I think it's too high a standard sometimes, but it's never an excuse for bad behaviour," Hardwicke commented, drawing parallels with demanding theatre traditions.
The actor, currently performing at the National Theatre, recounted conversations about previous generations of British theatre actors known for their exacting discipline. "And obviously we live in a slightly different world now and we need to make those compromises, but I think there is something quite powerful as well about being around people who go, you know, I really want this to be the very best it can be, and I'm always inspired by that."
While Roy Keane has not formally commented on the cinematic portrayal of the Saipan incident, the film offers a nuanced exploration of national identity, sporting excellence, and personal conviction. Saipan is currently showing in cinemas nationwide, inviting audiences to reconsider one of football's most dramatic moments through the lens of Irish heritage and artistic interpretation.
