Roy Keane resigns

[JD]

Not a huge surprise.  He's struggled in the Premiership.  Spent an enormous amount of money in my opinion and turned out to be a bit of a flop.

Wonder who the Mackems will get in now?

Keane resigns as Sunderland boss

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 Burley 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.

"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."

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.

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

Keane had been set to hold a news conference at 1300 GMT ahead of Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United.

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 66 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.

[Magillionare]

...... Roy Keane at WH or Newcastle?

[HUYTON RED]

Just been watching a bit of this on SSN when they had an interview with Roberto Di Matteo

During the course of the interview, the tool presenting with the very lovely looking Georgie Thompson, asks: "Do you think Roy would of made management material when you used to meet him in the players tunnel, during your playing career?"

Hardly the thing you start thinking about when your preparing for a game.

Well with Roy Keane, there goes Sunderland's Irish support.......

[Magillionare]

Who is the favourite for the next sunderland manager? Keegan.... surly not

[Brian78]

Well with Roy Keane, there goes Sunderland's Irish support.......

Judging by there attendances lately that support went a few weeks ago mate!! Lets hope they dont pick us as there "new team"

[Reslivo]

I feel so sorry for him

[mkj1972]

I don`t like Roy Keane as a person but I never had him down as a quitter.

[AussieRed]

Does any one else think that it's a bit weired that he resigned just before Sunderland play the Mancs at Old Trafford this week? 

[scouseuk]

not really he said he was leaving a few weeks back
but was talked out of it

so were now for roy

[JD]

Get Jack Charlton in.

[Reslivo]

Curbishley.

[AussieRed]

Mourinho 

[kelv78]

Shearer to take the job that would be so funny.

[Dadorious]

Well one idiot that needs to eat a humble pie now is Nial Quinn.

Did he not say something along the lines before the season opener that they can be as big a club as Liverpool???

[Brian78]

here ye are dadorious
 

Back page interview with Niall Quinn in an Irish paper yesterday headlined "Quinn: We can be bigger then pool" It goes on to talk about us signing Keane and then it comes out.." we murdered their home attedances every week after christmas. And if we keep progressing if we get to the point down the line where we are knocking on the door of the champions league I would have to go to the investors and ask them to commit to a 60000 stadium to make us the second biggest club in England"

What a tit. Why do these clowns think that by building a bigger stadium then Anfield they become a bigger club then us? There is probably 3 clubs in te world who could argue to be bigger then us. Our history and our future will ensure we will always be at the very very top when people ask who is the greates or biggest club in the worlld

Quinn you clown your attendances were bigger because youve a larger capacity but what happens up there when things arent going well? empty fu**ing seats pal thats what. Dont ever compare Sunderland to Liverpool not only do you make yourself out to be a dick but its not fair on your real fans to be compared to us.

Never been arsed about Sunderland but I hope we give them a good seeing to on Saturday after reading this sh*te

[redkenny]

Is anyone else sick of hearing about it now?

If it was someone like Tony Mowbray I'm sure it wouldn't be constantly on the news.

Talking about Tony Mowbray, does anyone reckon he's Robbie Keane's dad?