Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has hit back at the perceived recent slights of his predecessor Roy Keane by advising the Irishman to focus on his own job at Ipswich.
Keane has spoken about his former club's relegation plight and confidence problems since taking over from Jim Magilton at Portman Road last month, and Sbragia - who worked for the former Manchester United captain as a coach before replacing him - appears to have taken umbrage.
"It just seems that if he wants a bit of publicity, he says something - but why not talk about Ipswich? Why is he always talking about Sunderland?" said the Scot.
"Roy left this club. He's not here and we don't talk about him, but for some reason he keeps coming back. I don't know why. Maybe he still thinks he's the manager.
"Maybe he's just bored and has nothing to do, so he thinks, 'I'll have a go at Sunderland'. I think he should just really concentrate on Ipswich. He's back in football. He should enjoy it."
Sbragia also appeared to hint at an untold story behind Keane's departure from the Stadium of Light hot seat earlier this season.
Sbragia added: "He knows the reason he left Sunderland and I know exactly why he left.
"I wouldn't want to go into print and say exactly what I know about what he said and what he did.
"But I don't know why he keeps talking about Sunderland. He has left Sunderland. I could go into more detail, but I won't."
Comment 1 - 14 of 14
Sorry Jack I naturally assumed your response was from Cameron & didn't notice it was from you! I can't hold any grudges against RK. There was a good sense of optimism while he was in charge at SAFC although things did seem to go wrong towards the end.
There's an interesting comparison with RK and Joey Barton. Keane could easily have ended up the same way had it not been for Clough and Ferguson.
Who do you want as manager next season? I'm holding out for Sven.
Cam, it was a right hook... but it was a bit of a slap. Still think Shearer was worried though. Don't remember Hartson v Keane.
oh Patrick come on I remember that 'punch' at St.Shearer,my son's 10 and throws a left hook with more authority,Keane has always been a coward,a phoney tough guy who knows the ref will itervene,if you want to remember fear in somone's face think about Keane shatting himself when John Hartson squared him up.
Cameron, I've heard that Keane (as a kid) was a better boxer than he was a footballer. Do you remember the look of fear in Shearers eyes when Keane went for him?
it should be remembered,sunderland were in the bottom 3 when keane bottled it and left.
Keane walked. He can't comment on what he left as it was his decision. Time to move on....
The reason that Keane left is not difficult to work out. He had lost the plot and did'nt want to be associated with failure. The collection of misfits which he had assembled, at massive cost to the club, had ceased to play for him and, predictably, he walked. Keane is an ego on legs - we are better off without him. The only problem now is to dispense with most of his signings, and build a decent team.
Bill.C.
Ricky you are a girl; and i bet 'the legend' chinned both you and the plank somewhere along the line.
Erm didnt keane get sunderland promoted??
Ricky go in to more detail please didnt he like the meat pies.
keane will never make it as a manager as long as i have a hole in my arse,top class @#$%
Keane, fantastic footballer - but once a jumped up aggressive little git, always a jumped up aggressive little git, ask Cristiano Ronaldo.
Well said ricky
Ah go on Ricky, tell us what he said
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