Premier League - Keane leaves Sunderland

Eurosport - Fri, 05 Dec 08:59:00 2008

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has resigned from the club following a dreadful run of form.

2008-2009 Premier League Sunderland Roy Keane - 0

Five defeats from their last six Premier League games have seen Sunderland slip to third from bottom in the table and led Keane to decide his future lies away from the club.

The Irishman has walked away from the Stadium of Light following three days of discussions between Keane, chairman Niall Quinn and other advisers.

Ricky Sbragia takes over in a caretaker role, assisted by Dwight Yorke and Neil Bailey.

Quinn said: "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 when Drumaville took over shortly before his arrival.

"Roy's decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself."

Keane took over in August 2006 after a poor start to the season under temporary boss Quinn, leading the Wearside outfit into the top flight by the season's end.

He voiced his self-doubt last weekend regarding his ongoing suitability for the post after the 4-1 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers which featured an appalling defensive performance.

He said: "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."

The 37-year-old spent over £60 million on players in less than two seasons in the Premier League, but summer signings such as Anton Ferdinand, Pascal Chimbonda, El-Hadji Diouf and Steed Malbranque have largely failed to deliver.

Keane was due to hold a regular media conference on Thursday ahead of Sunderland's match against his former club Manchester United on Saturday.

After the visit to Old Trafford, Sunderland face crunch matches against West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Blackburn Rovers.

ROY KEANE FACTFILE

1971: Born Cork, August 10.

1987: Joins semi-professional League of Ireland club Cobh Ramblers after building reputation with Cork junior club Rockmount.

1990: Signed by Brian Clough for Nottingham Forest for £10,000.

1991: Makes Republic of Ireland debut in 1-1 draw with Chile in Dublin.

1992: Arrested after rowdy scenes outside a Nottingham nightclub, but released without charge.

1993: January - Thrown out of another nightclub after being caught up in a brawl.

July - Joins Manchester United for then British transfer record £3.75million after 154 matches and 33 goals for Forest.

1994: Marks first season with United by helping club complete their first League and FA Cup double.

1995: Sent off for first time in career for stamping on Crystal Palace's Gareth Southgate during FA Cup semi-final replay. Later fined £5,000.

Two more red cards follow in first three months of 1995-96 campaign, at Blackburn in August and at home to Middlesbrough in October.

1996: March - Sent off on his 30th appearance for the Republic of Ireland against Russia in Mick McCarthy's first match as manager.

May - Helps United clinch historic second double with 1-0 FA Cup final win over Liverpool. Fails to report for McCarthy's testimonial and Republic training after going on holiday to Italy, is denied Republic captaincy and left out for six matches by the national boss.

1997: April - Misses penalty for Republic against Romania and escapes without punishment after being involved in alleged butting incident.

August - Named United captain following Eric Cantona's departure.

September - Injures his knee trying to foul Leeds' Alf Inge Haaland at Elland Road. Misses rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage.

1999: April - Sent off against Arsenal in FA Cup semi-final replay for two bookable offences. Also booked in Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus ruling him out of final against Bayern Munich.

November - Scores the goal which earns a 1-0 Toyota Cup victory over Palmeiras of Brazil. United are the first British club to lift the Inter-Continental Cup.

December - Signs a new four-year deal to stay at Old Trafford.

2000: May - Named PFA and Football Writers' Association player of the year before lifting another Premier League title.

August - Sent off in Charity Shield at Wembley for two bookings, the second for a cynical challenge from behind on Chelsea's Gustavo Poyet.

November - Criticises lack of atmosphere at Old Trafford accusing corporate spectators of being unable "to spell football never mind understand it" and only being interested in prawn sandwiches.

2001: April - Criticises United team-mates suggesting it may be time to break up the squad following their Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich.

Sent off after horrific pre-meditated lunge at Haaland in United's derby encounter with Manchester City.

September - Dismissed for the ninth time in his United career after raising his hands at Newcastle's Alan Shearer.

2002: May - Keane is sent home from the World Cup after a row with Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.

August - Admits in his autobiography that his red-card tackle on Haaland was deliberate.

September - Sent off for elbowing Jason McAteer during Manchester United's 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

October - Banned for five matches and fined £150,000 over Haaland incident.

2003: February - Despite the efforts of new Ireland manager Brian Kerr to tempt him back into the Republic's set-up, Keane announces his intention to retire from international football.

2004: February - Sent off as United lose in Porto in a Champions League last-16 clash.

April - Announces he will play for Republic of Ireland.

May - Makes first appearance for Ireland since McCarthy bust-up in friendly with Romania.

2005: February - Involved in tunnel row with Patrick Vieira before United's 4-2 win against Arsenal.

August - Sir Alex Ferguson admits he had a row with Keane at United's pre-season training camp in Portugal in July.

October - Announces his international retirement for a second time.

November - Leaves Manchester United by mutual consent.

December - Signs for Celtic in an 18-month deal.

2006: January - Makes Celtic debut in embarrassing Scottish Cup defeat to First Division Clyde.

May - Finishes the season at Celtic, who win the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

June - Announces his retirement from football.

August - Confirmed as new manager of Sunderland.

2007: April - Earns automatic promotion to the Premier League for Sunderland. Team clinches Championship title the following week.

2008: May - Sunderland finish three points clear of relegation zone.

September - Says he will not "tolerate people abusing me" after fans react angrily to an unconvincing Carling Cup win over Northampton.

December 4 - Leaves Sunderland after crisis talks on Wearside.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport

Comment 253 - 272 of 272

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. i think roy knows his own limitations and he as put­ sunderland on the map and i bet made their ticket sales­ rocket. Roy is a legend in o so many ways its hard to­ describe, he send my sis a card for her birthday and­ autographs after I sent a general letter to Man Utd(at­ the time) which I thought hed never recieve, he is a­ man of many talents and alot of Roys work goes unknown­ but as a fellow corkonian I just want to say I rate Roy­ as the best thing to come from the place, Love ya­ mister Keane xxxx

    From Bernard, on Sat 6 Dec 1:12PM

  2. Being honest i dont think roy would waste his energy­ with ireland you know yourself there not going anywhere­ anytime soon.

    From Bernard, on Sat 6 Dec 1:08PM

  3. Let me throw the "Cat" among the­ "Magpies". I have it on a very reliable­ source that Roy has been approached by Newcastle and­ that he is considering the position even though a lot­ of people on Wearside would regard him a traitor if he­ accepts the managers position on Tyneside.

    From Bryan C, on Sat 6 Dec 2:08AM

  4. Jack Warner was right about Roy boy.

    From Acid, on Fri 5 Dec 7:35PM

  5. Com-on lads. Where were all you "Critics"­ when he joined the black cats.
    Roy Keane was a great­ player, but knows his limitations as a manager.
    He­ deserves respect for walking away, once he knew he­ could not take the team any higher.
    You are a man to be­ respected for your views.

    Smogie - stockton

    From JOSEPH, on Fri 5 Dec 12:00PM

  6. fitandallthat, Don't like Man U then?

    From John, on Fri 5 Dec 11:37AM

  7. A small arms manufacturer in the US is taking deposits­ for a gun specially designed for elderly and disabled­ people, who may be able to get it on prescription. Skip­ related content
    Related photos / videos Guns On­ Prescription For Elderly The Palm Pistol is the­ world's first ergonomic firearm, according to­ Constitution Arms.

    The single-shot 9mm weapon is­ grasped in the palm of the hand, with the barrel­ pointing out between the fingers.

    Instead of pulling a­ trigger to fire the gun, users press their thumb on a­ button at the top.

    "Point and shoot couldn't­ be easier,"

    From John, on Fri 5 Dec 11:35AM

  8. keane"s walked. he has had enough. apparently­ wednesdays training session was the last straw. snowmen­ won 3.0!

    From steve, on Fri 5 Dec 11:34AM

  9. LATEST ODDS FOR THE JOB AT THE GREAT UNWASHED, BERTIE­ AHERN2/1 WESTLIFE 2/1 GERRY ADAMAS 2/1 , IS IT TRUE­ THAT THE BEARDED BOTTLER HAS JOINED HUDDERSFIELD COS­ THEY ARE CALLED THE TERRIERS?

    From a.duncan83, on Fri 5 Dec 11:33AM

  10. As a Sunderland season ticket holder may i take this­ opportunity to thank Roy Keane for all the good times­ he has brought and to wish him all the best for the­ future Respect.

    From alanhendry7, on Fri 5 Dec 10:06AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I dislike Roy Keane intensely and consider him to be a­ spiteful lout. I disliked his so-called hard play that­ vidnictively wrecked at leats one players career­ "alledgedly". I thought it was disgraceful­ the way he walked out on his national side during the­ World Cup and as a manager he done little. Bringing­ Sunderland to the Premier League, okay. But what else?­ I am sorry but I think he should retire with dignity­ and work on his personality.

    From John D, on Fri 5 Dec 9:15AM

  12. Good player or not he's just a thug. Good riddance.

    From Snakehips916, on Fri 5 Dec 8:27AM

  13. Roy Keane is a totally CORK legend and the greatest­ export ireland has ever had.

    From cnr_mcgrath, on Fri 5 Dec 8:20AM

  14. Actually Roy Keane wasn't a bad manager, after all,­ he did help Sunderland to get into the EPL. All the­ best to him, maybe he can go take some lessons from Sir­ Alex and return as a better coach?

    From quilava_ex, on Fri 5 Dec 7:45AM

  15. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    From Nathan, on Fri 5 Dec 7:37AM

  16. Well said the previous two comments.
    Why through up­ Roys mistakes ? where are his fantastic­ performances.
    If had worn a different coloured shirt he­ would have been a legend all over not just at Old­ Trafford.
    Now lets see a write up on his command of a­ game , passing and stunning goals.

    From mike, on Fri 5 Dec 6:36AM

  17. Not really a Keane fan. But would say that the Roy­ Keane factfile is a pretty poor piece of journalism,­ concentrating on his sendings off, with a one liner­ about his gaining promotion with Sunderland. Theye were­ literally bottom of the league, and won the­ championship. I know that journalists are not required­ to report fact, but they should have some semblance of­ reality. I'm surprised he left - they're on a­ bad run, but I thought tem a better team than last­ year. It's tough this year - another three points­ pushes you a long way up the table. Two more wins and­ you are in the top 10. I guess he wanted the­ "quantum leap" and it hasn't happened. He­ has struggled to buy in players, and has had to spend­ big bucks on mid-tier players. This may be a fact of­ life for whoever tales over - you can't win derbys­ with donkeys.

    From cheatherbank, on Fri 5 Dec 4:48AM

  18. Im neither a MAN U Or Sunderland. I'm not even a­ fan of Roy Keane although he was a fu#$%$# good player.­ The writer of this article ALEX SHARRAT should be­ ashamed of such shocking journalism. It is appalling­ to read journalism as FU#$%$ UP as this is. Sports­ writer you may be and its probably your own fault for­ f#$%$#$ up in School ALEX but please try to give us a­ better commentary on a managers career other than the­ amount of times his thumped his fist or head into twa$%­ like you.

    If you need a lesson in journalism... I­ can't help you-or want to!

    @#$%t

    From stoney_za_tiger, on Fri 5 Dec 3:40AM

  19. KEANO IS A TRUE LEGEND AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!...I WISH­ HIM WELL!!!

    From Darragh, on Fri 5 Dec 2:35AM

  20. Keano for president! Yes he can!

    From Andrew F, on Fri 5 Dec 2:27AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account