NIALL Quinn has tipped Roy Keane to return to the Barclays Premier League one day after reluctantly accepting he had taken Sunderland as far as he could.
The 37-year-old yesterday morning resigned from his post at the Stadium of Light after 27 eventful months as his former Republic of Ireland team-mate failed to persuade him to stay.
Keane's position had become the subject of intense speculation ov
er the last few weeks, but his personal misgivings grew in the wake of Saturday's 4-1 home defeat by Bolton, which saw his side slip into the relegation zone.
After days of agonising over the decision with Quinn pleading with him to hold firm, the Irishman fell on his sword to end the dream he inspired when he agreed to launch his managerial career on Wearside in August 2006. His chairman, despite his obvious disappointment, vowed the mission to revive the club would continue, but also voiced the opinion Keane would be back in the Premier League before long.
He said: "The Premier League from day one, Roy has been all over it. He has been a massive figure. That just doesn't end. In his absence, he still will be and the time will pop along and he will have gained from this experience and something will come for him, I have no doubt.
"He will get a bit of time to himself now and I am sure he will recharge and get going again, and I am sure we all know the Premier League hasn't seen the last of him and he has got great things to come."
Sunderland eventually confirmed the news that had been circulating for several hours at around 12.35pm yesterday, shortly before Keane was due to conduct his regular pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's trip to former club Manchester United.
He did not appear, but he issued a short statement, which read: "I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and, in particular, the fans, for their support during my time at Sunderland, and would like to wish the club every success in the future."
It was left to Quinn to face the media as he explained Keane's reasons for resigning.
He said: "Roy, as he says himself, is his harshest critic. He just 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. It's funny, in situations like this, I am sure nine times out of ten, the chairman is saying how the manager was trying to keep his job.
It's a disappointing day in many respects, but of course, we fully respect his decision."
Keane's leadership abilities as an inspirational captain of United meant he had long been touted as a future manager. He joined the Black Cats just two months after retiring from a playing career in which he won seven Premier League titles and four FA Cups with United before finishing his career at Celtic.
Keane won plaudits from commentators for his apparent reinvention as a calm and collected coach, an identity at odds with his energy on the field, which occasionally manifested itself as fury and violence.
He could intimidate referees, confronted Patrick Vieira when the Arsenal captain challenged Gary Neville in the tunnel before a game, and attracted widespread criticism when he admitted that he deliberately injured Manchester City's Alf-Inge Haaland in revenge for a perceived slight four years earlier.
Keane walked out on Ireland at the 2002 World Cup following furious altercations with the coaching staff. He left United three years later after a row with manager Alex Ferguson, who was unhappy that he had publicly criticised his team-mates' performance and attitude.
But his unusual methods and driven personality seemed to work at Sunderland. When three key players were late for the team coach ahead of a crucial trip to Barnsley in March 2007, Keane simply left them behind and the team still won 2-0.
As recently as 25 October, Keane guided Sunderland to a 2-1 victory over fierce local rival Newcastle. "He lifted this place off its knees," Quinn said.
Coach Ricky Sbragia, assisted by Neil Bailey and Dwight Yorke, will take charge in the interim as Quinn seeks a replacement.
It was Quinn who put together the Drumaville consortium that bought out predecessor Bob Murray and then pulled off a major coup when they persuaded Keane to take the plunge into management.
Promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship at the first attempt was rich reward for the club's ambition, and the financial investment that followed it – Keane spent upwards of £70 million on strengthening his squad, including the £9m he paid Hearts for Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, £8m to West Ham for Anton Ferdinand and £5.5m for Kieran Richardson – was a sign of their continuing intent.
However, a run of six defeats in seven games led Keane to question himself as his comments about his own future became increasingly ambiguous with his three-year contract running down and no new deal agreed, and American investor Ellis Short increasing his influence. That combination of factors meant there was only ever likely to be one outcome.
McCarthy has last laughIN A twist of fate which would not be missed by Roy Keane, Mick McCarthy was awarded the Coca-Cola Championship manager of the month for November on the same day that the former Republic of Ireland captain quit Sunderland.
McCarthy's league leaders won five and drew one of their six matches last month, ending with a 1-1 draw against second-placed Birmingham.
Keane and former Irish coach McCarthy infamously fell out during the Republic's preparations for the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. The then Manchester United midfielder stormed out of the Irish camp having become incensed by what he saw as a lack of professionalism from the FA of Ireland and publicly criticised McCarthy at a team meeting in Saipai. Keane flew home and the Republic went on to reach the second round of the tournament, losing in a penalty shoot-out to Spain.
Who is next to fill Stadium of Light hotseat?ROY Keane's exit from Sunderland leaves the Barclays Premier League strugglers searching for a new manager as they look to climb out of the relegation zone. Could one of these men provide the answer for the Wearside club?
• SAM ALLARDYCE: 6-4
THE 54-year-old former Sunderland player has not worked since his ill-fated spell at the club's arch-rivals Newcastle ended in January after just over seven months. Allardyce, though, had great success during eight years at Bolton, leading them to the top flight and the Uefa Cup.
• ALAN CURBISHLEY: 7-1
THE 51-year-old is available after resigning from West Ham in September. Led the Hammers to a miraculous escape from relegation and took them to tenth place the following season. Also spent 15 years at Charlton where he established them as a Premier League side on a tight budget.
• GORDON STRACHAN: 10-1
Celtic manager has done a wonderful job at Parkhead, winning three successive titles and taking the club to last 16 of Champions League twice, but is still a target for criticism among a section of fans. Subject of several bets last night, but may believe he has unfinished business at Celtic.
• DAVID O'LEARY: 10-1
THE Irishman has not worked in management since leaving Aston Villa in May 2006. Led a young Leeds side to the Champions League semi-finals and was linked to the job in the 2002-03 season but opted for Villa instead. Played alongside Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn for Ireland and at Arsenal.
• PHIL BROWN: 14-1
THE Sunderland fan is currently manager at Hull who he led to safety in the Championship before guiding them to the Premier League. The Tigers were tipped for the drop this year and while but he has guided them to third and won many admirers. Has already stressed he would prefer to stay with his present club.
FACT BOX
An imposing central midfielder known for his aggressive and competitive style, Keane left Cobh Ramblers to sign for Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1990.
Won first of 66 Ireland caps against Chile in 1991.
Left Forest in 1993 following their relegation from the Premier League to join Manchester United for then a British record transfer fee of £3.75million.
Won Premier League and FA Cup double in 1994.
• Took over as United captain from Eric Cantona in 1997 and kept the role until he left the club in 2005.
Led United to a treble in 1998/99, when they won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
Won another Premier League title and voted player of the year by fellow professionals and football writers in 2000.
In May 2002, he walked out on Ireland's World Cup squad in South Korea before tournament started after a row with manager Mick McCarthy.
Suspended by English FA in August 2002 for admitting his intent to injure Leeds United's Alf Inge Haaland in previous season.
Won eighth Premier League title in 2003 and lifted a fourth FA Cup in 2004.
Rejoined Ireland squad in April 2004 under new manager Brian Kerr but retired from international football in October 2005 following country's failure to qualify for 2006 World Cup finals.
Left United in 2005 and joined Celtic in January 2006, only to retire six months later.
Took charge of Sunderland in 2006. He secured promotion to the Premier League in 2007 and earned the Championship Manager of the Year award.
Quit as Sunderland manager on 4 December, 2008 after 100 matches in charge, leaving the club in the relegation zone.
The full article contains 1655 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
