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 193 - 212 of 272

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  1. I thing sun

    From ahmedfaraah, on Thu 4 Dec 6:56PM

  2. mcplucker, there's no need to put symbols in place­ of swear words because you obviously wouldn't be­ able to spell them anyway.

    But I have to agree with­ those who call Keane a quitter. His first really bad­ run as a manager and he just decides he doesn't­ need the hassle and walks.

    From fpitfield, on Thu 4 Dec 6:56PM

  3. one word for those who made him quit­ "INGRATES"...
    KEANO 2 me was and is never a­ quitter!
    All the best Mr. Roy, afterall, you deserve a­ better squad!!

    From Idowu, on Thu 4 Dec 6:52PM

  4. One of the dirtiest players, I am sure he will be­ missed.

    From Sadoldgit, on Thu 4 Dec 6:45PM

  5. NAME the QUALITY players keane signed please frosty

    From kmcintosh73, on Thu 4 Dec 6:38PM

  6. Who are these fools saying Roy Keane is 'a failure­ ' as a mangager? It really does sound like a lot of­ sour grapes and jealousy from fans of teams he­ humiliated during his succesful career as a player. How­ can taking a team from relegation to promotion in less­ than a season be failure? If he ever does come back­ into management, I feel confident that he will make you­ all eat humble pie.

    From Len, on Thu 4 Dec 6:29PM

  7. In terms of Sunderland, I think it was fair to say that­ Keane took them as far as he could. He spent over 60­ Million and to be honest at Sunderland he could only­ attract a average standard of player: Anton Ferdinand,­ Diouf, Chimbonda and Malbranque are average players.­ They are not Game winners. Saturdays performance was­ beyond a joke, the players were not playing for him and­ to be honest he would be better off in a team that­ offers him more of a challenge for european football­ and not relegation sluggers. A mid table team with the­ quality to attract big players would be the next step­ for Keane. This is by no far means the end of him.

    From cmcrae7, on Thu 4 Dec 6:26PM

  8. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING­ CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP
    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: ­ PREMIER LEAGUE, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA AND CHAMPIONS­ LEAGUE - UEFA CUP
    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER­ LEAGUE MATCHES

    From go to www.premiership.altervista.org, on Thu 4 Dec 6:25PM

  9. POSS END UP @ THE THEARTRE OF DOOM LICKING FERGIE`S­ @#$% N TO BE THE SLAPPING BOY

    From mcpluker, on Thu 4 Dec 6:24PM

  10. DIRTY BASTERD AS A PLAYER GOBBY MOUTHY EUSLESS @#$% AS­ A MANNAGER DISRESPECTS PLAYERS WE DONT WISH SHYTEBAGS­ LIKE HIM IN THE GAME EDDIE HALLAND IS IN BELLY LAUGH`S­ NOW SO ROT KEAN IN HELL MAY THE GAME OF FOOTBALL CARRY­ ON IN GOOD SPIRRIT WITH OUT YOU

    From mcpluker, on Thu 4 Dec 6:21PM

  11. The man is a legend, he's only done what millions­ only dream about....@#$% slapping shearer!!! I am proud­ to be a sunderland supporter, well i was b4 keano went.­ A true gentleman and anyone who has met him will know­ that he thinks noone is beneath him! Many wouldn't­ touch safc with a barge pole but look what quality­ players he's brought here. KEANO SAFC FOREVER!!!!!­ Full respect due to you....... not only for being­ lush!!!

    From Leigh, on Thu 4 Dec 6:16PM

  12. ROY KEANE IS A VERY GOOD MANAGER.I WISH YOU WELL ROY.

    From Ife F, on Thu 4 Dec 6:14PM

  13. what an intelligent woman you sound lynsey!

    From samantha_steinhoff66, on Thu 4 Dec 6:12PM

  14. lets all laugh at sunderland

    From lynsey, on Thu 4 Dec 5:56PM

  15. quitter.....quitter....2nd time walk out..thst cork­ langer can @#$% off back to cork

    From georgetaaffe1970, on Thu 4 Dec 5:54PM

  16. He was a very hard footballer and not a man one could­ easily like. I really thought he would have been more­ successful as a manager but like so many other great­ players he has failed. It could well be that he was the­ wrong manager at the wrong time and perhaps he might be­ more successful in a future post, but I believe he will­ not seek another position in club management.

    From WILLIAM, on Thu 4 Dec 5:51PM

  17. cant wait till he takes over at united,im sure he will­ do a bad job there too.hes a waste of space nd a­ thug.im ashamed to say im an irishman wen his name is­ mentioned as 1.im sure there r plenty of irishmen who­ wud have given there left arm to play 4 ireland but as­ now he proved wat a coward he is

    From iangriffin60, on Thu 4 Dec 5:44PM

  18. i am a liverpool fan but i still have the utmost­ respect for keane. he had nothing to prove as his own­ playing career came to an end and he took on­ sunderland, managing the unmanagable, and actually­ brought them off their knees to premiership status.­ once players cross the white line surely they have to­ take some responsibility, yet everyone is quick to­ blame the manager... all these idiots who criticise­ managers seem to want an emotional shouty bloke who­ knows sweet FA strategically, but if they have a bit of­ passion then it hides their ignorance. Give Keane some­ credit and lets hope he will be back where he will be­ appreciated in the future

    From busybee, on Thu 4 Dec 5:43PM

  19. Roy Keane is a legend
    One of the greatest united player­ ever 2 grace old trafford along with being the best­ Irish payer of the last 10 years. any play who leaves­ playing in the world cup for speaking out of the @#$%­ conditions he adn the team trained on, is a great­ thing

    absouloute ledgend 10 out of 10

    From Cian, on Thu 4 Dec 5:37PM

  20. fantastic news, i was absolutely over the moon when he­ walked out on ireland, showing that he was nothing more­ than a self centred @#$%, and now hes failed as a top­ flight manager. Another great day in my life!! Up the­ mighty reds YNWA!

    From www.wildmanfishing.com, on Thu 4 Dec 5:33PM
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