‘I have made it clear, I’d like to go back in as a manager’: Roy Keane confirms he had an interview for the Sunderland job TODAY… but insists ‘the contract has got to be right’ as he waits to hear whether he will return to the club
- Roy Keane has hinted that he has held talks with Sunderland to be their manager
- The Black Cats have parted ways with Lee Johnson and want to win promotion
- Keane enjoyed a hugely successful spell at the club, taking them to the top flight
- The Irishman was coy over links with the job, but said he wants to get back in
Roy Keane has hinted that he has held talks with Sunderland over the club’s managerial vacancy, as the Manchester United legend admitted he would like to return to the dugout.
Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday that the Black Cats have held talks with their former manager over a return to the Stadium of Light, with chiefs confident the no-nonsense Irishman will provide the spark needed to gain promotion.
Keane enjoyed a wildly successful term at Sunderland, gaining promotion to the Premier League, but has not held a managerial position since leaving Ipswich in 2011.
Roy Keane has hinted that he has held talks with Sunderland over their managerial vacancy
Keane enjoyed a hugely successful period in charge of the Black Cats and could go back
However, Keane remained coy when quizzed by ITV’s Mark Pougatch on the state of play with Sunderland, insisting that many factors have to be right in order to jump back into management.
‘I’ve got no control over that, so no comment,’ he said.
‘I have made that clear over the last few years, I’d like to go back in as a manager but a club will have to want you, you have to want to go to that club and just as important the contract has got to be right.
‘We will see how things take shape over the next few days.’
Keane has spent the past few seasons taking up punditry duties but has made no secret of his desire to return to football management
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus have led the process and concluded their interviews today.
Former Hull boss Grant McCann was spoken to yesterday, while other names in the frame include Alex Neil, Sabri Lamouchi and Neil Lennon.
Keane remains the preferred choice of many within the club, but today’s talks are seen as crucial as both parties get a better feel for one another.
An announcement on Lee Johnson’s replacement is not expected before tomorrow’s visit of Doncaster, but a decision could well be made by the end of the day.
It is 13 years since Keane quit as Sunderland boss, citing differences with former owner Ellis Short. He had taken over in August 2006 with the team second bottom of the Championship but come the end of the season they were champions.
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