Roy Keane leaves Sunderland

[Rob]

Roy Keane has resigned as manager of Sunderland after 27 months in charge.

Keane, 37, took over in 2006 but chose to step down with the club lying 18th in the Premier League following five defeats in six matches.

First team coach Ricky Sbragia has been placed in temporary charge, assisted by coaches Neil Bailey and Dwight Yorke.

"Roy's decision sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club, despite the club's efforts to keep him," said chairman Niall Quinn.

"Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the club from the depths of the Championship back to the Premier League.

Niall Quinn expresses his disappointment at the departure of Roy Keane

"His winning mentality and singled mindedness were just what this club needed. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself.

"The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future."

Quinn, who held talks with Keane over three days in an attempt to persuade him to stay, added: "He lifted this place off its knees, he is a tremendous influence.

"Five weeks ago (after beating Newcastle) people were dancing in the streets of Sunderland. It's a funny world football and I hoped I'd never have to do this day.
Roy Keane
Keane took charge of Sunderland in August 2006

"I spoke many times about Roy and I being in a partnership and it feels like the partnership has dissolved now.

"I wish him real well in the future. He'll get a bit of time to himself now to re-charge but I think we all know the Premiership hasn't seen the last of him. He's got great things to come."

Keane, who guided the Black Cats to the Premier League in 2006-07, had said in recent weeks that his future may not be certain, although Sunderland have spent the last few days trying to persuade him to stay on.

The Black Cats' latest defeat came against Bolton on Saturday and Keane said after the 4-1 loss: "I ask myself every day if I'm the right man for Sunderland.

"I asked myself this morning and I said I was. Sunday morning, if the answer's no, we'll have to look at it."

Keane spent nearly £70m on 33 permanent signings following his arrival in August 2006, including big-money deals for striker Kenwyne Jones, midfielder Kieran Richardson, defender Anton Ferdinand and a club record £9m on keeper Craig Gordon.

   
606: DEBATE
He joins a long line of managers doing really well in the Championship, having a good first season in the Premier League, finding the next season harder then leaving

snackster
On their return to the Premier League last season they finished in 15th place, escaping relegation by only three points.

Sunderland held a news conference at 1300 GMT in which they confirmed the departure of Keane, who himself issued a short statement.

He said: "I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and, in particular, the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland, and I would like to wish the club every success in the future."

Quinn added: "Roy felt he had completed his journey here, and he just felt he didn't want to get it unstuck any further and find ourselves in deeper, darker territory. That's the measure of the guy.

"In situations like this, I am sure nine times out of 10 the chairman is saying how the manager was trying to keep his job. It was the other way round.

Keane's last post-match interview, after Saturday's home defeat by Bolton

"Once he made his decision, I said to him, 'I know you too well, Roy, to try to overturn it now'."

The former Republic of Ireland international is regarded as a legend at Old Trafford where he won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups as well as the Champions League in 1999.

During his 12-year career at United he earned a fearsome reputation as a no-nonsense tough-tackling midfielder.

Keane also had spells at Nottingham Forest and Celtic, winning 65 caps for his country.

During his first season as manager at Sunderland he led the club to the Championship title.

Keane's contract was set to expire at the end of the season, with talks over a new deal reportedly ongoing.

He is the fifth managerial departure in the Premier League this season. Juande Ramos was sacked as Tottenham manager - Harry Redknapp switching from Portsmouth to replace him - and Alan Curbishley and Kevin Keegan left posts at West Ham and Newcastle respectively.

From BBC SPORT.

Discuss.

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

Being a United fan I am massive Roy Keane fan. Hell I was hoping by 5 years time every ex United Legend would be rocking the Prem as a manager lol. But Keano is a winner. Sunderland will always be mediocre at best. There is nothing attractive about playing for Sunderland as its a shit hole and Keano wont get the players he wants.

I am not surprised after what has been a shit start to their campaign he cant be arsed with it. Its about winning for him and he cant do it here. I hope we look into giving him something at United. If not...I predict he will take over Celtic if Gordon Strachan goes.

[Cory]

Roy Keane was the baddest man to ever play football. I really hope he could go somewhere like Arsenal and toughen them boys up.

[Rob]

To be honest, just look at what he's done to Sunderland. He took them straight up, he made a team and he gave them discipline. I don't think there's any doubt that Keano is a fantastic football mind and he will definitely follow in his mentors footsteps, regardless of whether or not he actually admires his mentor, Fergie.

[Duckman]

Yeah but he's also a quitter if things aren't going his way.  He did it with Ireland at the World Cup, he talked his way of United and now he's done a runner at Sunderland.

I'm all for being a winner.  But you need to follow that through the tough times to truly prove yourself and Keane hasn't done that yet.

He keeps ducking out when the going isn't quite how he wants it. 

It'll be interesting to see where he ends up next, I think Ian's Celtic shout could be a good one, but he'll need to screw the nut and not leave if it doesn't work out.  Celtic fans would probably burn his house down if he walked out on them half way through the season, lol.

Then again knowing how Keane is, this could be the last we see of him in football!

Peace

Duckman

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

Roy Keane was the baddest man to ever play football. I really hope he could go somewhere like Arsenal and toughen them boys up.

You got to be fucking kidding me...

[Duckman]

LOL!  After all the times he nearly killed Patrick Veira I doubt anyone at Arsenal would let Keane within 100 feet of The Emirates!

Peace

Duckman

[Rob]

10 minutes at Arsenal and Roy Keane would be the most hated former Man United player ever.

[Laura]

Something I just don't get...Irish people loving Roy Keane so much. I'm Irish, born and bred in Dublin...and I think the guy is a prick. When Ireland needed him most, he went off in a huff because Mick McCarthy wouldn't bend over and kiss his ass. We managed to get close to the final (can't remember exactly where) without him, but we could have gone further with him. And this whole Sunderland deal proves that when the going gets tough, he runs away from the confrontation. When he was winning he was "Sunderland rule, I love Sunderland etc, etc"...and then when they're losing and are bottom of the league he's all "I'm done, I'm not happy". He had an easy career when you think about it...Man United. Always fighting for the league, many times winners...cups galore. Roy Keane might have been a great player, but when it comes down to it he's a glorified whiner.

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

Something I just don't get...Irish people loving Roy Keane so much. I'm Irish, born and bred in Dublin...and I think the guy is a prick. When Ireland needed him most, he went off in a huff because Mick McCarthy wouldn't bend over and kiss his ass. We managed to get close to the final (can't remember exactly where) without him, but we could have gone further with him. And this whole Sunderland deal proves that when the going gets tough, he runs away from the confrontation. When he was winning he was "Sunderland rule, I love Sunderland etc, etc"...and then when they're losing and are bottom of the league he's all "I'm done, I'm not happy". He had an easy career when you think about it...Man United. Always fighting for the league, many times winners...cups galore. Roy Keane might have been a great player, but when it comes down to it he's a glorified whiner.

Hannah Rickman just became my mortal enemy...

[Laura]

Something I just don't get...Irish people loving Roy Keane so much. I'm Irish, born and bred in Dublin...and I think the guy is a prick. When Ireland needed him most, he went off in a huff because Mick McCarthy wouldn't bend over and kiss his ass. We managed to get close to the final (can't remember exactly where) without him, but we could have gone further with him. And this whole Sunderland deal proves that when the going gets tough, he runs away from the confrontation. When he was winning he was "Sunderland rule, I love Sunderland etc, etc"...and then when they're losing and are bottom of the league he's all "I'm done, I'm not happy". He had an easy career when you think about it...Man United. Always fighting for the league, many times winners...cups galore. Roy Keane might have been a great player, but when it comes down to it he's a glorified whiner.

Hannah Rickman just became my mortal enemy...

Fine by me. My real name ain't Hannah Rickman.

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

Something I just don't get...Irish people loving Roy Keane so much. I'm Irish, born and bred in Dublin...and I think the guy is a prick. When Ireland needed him most, he went off in a huff because Mick McCarthy wouldn't bend over and kiss his ass. We managed to get close to the final (can't remember exactly where) without him, but we could have gone further with him. And this whole Sunderland deal proves that when the going gets tough, he runs away from the confrontation. When he was winning he was "Sunderland rule, I love Sunderland etc, etc"...and then when they're losing and are bottom of the league he's all "I'm done, I'm not happy". He had an easy career when you think about it...Man United. Always fighting for the league, many times winners...cups galore. Roy Keane might have been a great player, but when it comes down to it he's a glorified whiner.

Hannah Rickman just became my mortal enemy...

The fake Hannah Rickman is now my sworn enemy...

Fine by me. My real name ain't Hannah Rickman.

[Laura]

Ah, but how do you know Hannah Rickman even exists at all? She could just be a figment of your imagination...

[Ian "Wolfie" Trumps]

Well if she was a figment of my imagination, she would know that messing with Keano wasn't a good idea and that I also like my socks left out in the morning so not to get cold feet when I get out of bed.

[Laura]

Well if she was a figment of my imagination, she would know that messing with Keano wasn't a good idea and that I also like my socks left out in the morning so not to get cold feet when I get out of bed.

Haha...Keano is a bad bearded pussy.

And you crisp your own damn socks.