The Irishman has ditched his but here are eight more that we think are great.
The beard is the ultimate display of masculinity and unsurprisingly many footballers decide to don face fuzz in order to show off just how manly they really are.
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Manchester United legend, Aston Villa assistant manager and all-round hard-man Roy Keane decided on Friday to do away with his impressive beard – which disappoints us – so in honour we have picked out the eight best beards that still remain in football.
8. Djibril Cisse
Starting off with a controversial one as what this Frenchman dons is not always to everyone’s taste, but you have to admire the commitment with Cisse having opted for dyed blonde and red in the past.
7. Pep Guardiola
Effortlessly cool this hugely successful Bayern head coach has opted for the preferred look of many suffering with baldness – the upside-down head.
6. Darren Bent
Was exiled for some time by Villa manager Paul Lambert, but is now back in the first team and with Keane being cleanly shaven someone needs to be championing the beard at the club.
5. Andre Villas-Boas
Somewhat harshly treated in England by Premier League duo Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, the Portuguese manager has now decided to head to Zenit St Petersburg where the cold Russian weather makes this look practical as well as stylish.
4. Xabi Alonso
There is something lovely about a ginger beard and this pass master sports one better than anyone, taking his skills to Bayern this summer.
3. Daniele de Rossi
With his sleeve of tattoos and combative on-field nature, players don’t come much more terrifying than this AS Roma midfielder and Italy international.
2. Tim Howard
The king of the upside-down head, this Everton goalkeeper cuts a nice guy image, but his ripped and tattooed body and impressive beard make first impressions a bit different.
1. Andrea Pirlo
Less footballer, more philosopher and drinker of fine wines, it takes a lot to be cooler than this Juventus veteran who’s beard and long hair suggests he should be in art-house films and not football.