It's specific to HIS type of leadership. There are other people who did it another way, but the way HE did it, that is absolutely a statement of truth. There are plenty of people out there that follow that same sort of personality (disorder?), that have had success in sports. Let's just look at two obvious examples. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Both guys, hyper type A personalities. Both guys, renowned for holding teammates to extreme levels, because they themselves held themselves to those levels.
Jordan punched Steve Kerr in the face over a situation related to this type of personality. Kobes relationship with Shaq suffered immensely in their prime years, and Kobe was notorious for riding guys who didn't put everything into off season/season training. Those are just two examples off the top of my head. Keane was never the type of individual talent those two were, but he had the same sort of never say die, competitive to death, hold his teammates to an incredible standard mentality. Those guys and those types of leaders? It's a cliche for a reason.