Keano - Noooo!!!!!

[SarzWix]

I am gutted, distraught

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Sunderland | Keane resigns as Sunderland boss

[bobleponge]

Sarz, I cant download that bit cos my work server wont allow it. Whats the deal? I was no lover of Keane as a player but admired his commitment to the cause enormously. I thought he would have been given more time, he's done well since he got there.
Maybe Ferguson is off at the Scum?

[zazen999]

Keane - no bands should be without a guitarist. So I totally agree.

[smallblueplanet]

He weren't pushed boble

"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 Bailey 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.


How Keane's exit unfolded
"The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future."

Quinn held talks with Keane over two days in an attempt to persuade him to stay, said BBC Radio 5 Live football reporter Juliette Ferrington.

"I'm told Niall Quinn desperately tried to persuade Roy Keane to stay. He also revealed that Keane feels he has completed a journey, that he couldn't take the team any further and that he had simply reached the end of the road," she added.

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.

Sunderland held a news conference at 1300 GMT in which they confirmed the departure of Keane, who himself issued a short statement.

He said: "I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and, in particular, the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland, and I would like to wish the club every success in the future."

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's last post-match interview, after Saturday's home defeat by Bolton
Keane also had spells at Nottingham Forest and Celtic, winning 65 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. "

[bobleponge]

Thanks SBP, appreciate it. Bit surprised though, dont normally think of Keane as a quitter!

[smallblueplanet]

Except for when the training facilities aren't up to scratch!???

TBH I think (well according to his ex?biographer on R4) he'd started to believe his own legend, if you know what I mean? Can't think what the media will call 'Roy Keane's Sunderland' now?!

[bobleponge]

Tee Hee. Have you ever heard the actual phrase he gave to Mick McCarthey to get his marching orders?
I wouldnt dream of putting on here as the mods would eat me, and I wouldnt even send it in a PM its that vile, but if you have a google around you will find it. Makes no sense but makes me laugh out loud every time I hear it.

[smallblueplanet]

I'm a Mick McCarthey fan and blush easily so I'll take your word as for its actual nature!

[nkp1962]

My phone hasn't stopped and the latest betting is: -

S Allardyce 2 - 1
G Strachan 6 - 1
A Curbishley 7 - 1
P Brown 10 - 1
D O'Leary 12 - 1
R Martinez 14 - 1
S Bilic 16 - 1
M McCarthy 18 - 1
T Venables 20 - 1
G Houllier 20 - 1
G Hoddle 20 - 1
M Jol 22 - 1
F Rijkaard 22 - 1
R Gullit 25 - 1
SG Eriksson 25 - 1
G Graham 25 - 1
R Mancini 25 - 1
G Poyet 25 - 1
A Grant 25 - 1
D Deschamps 25 - 1
S Bruce 33 - 1
S McClaren 33 - 1
Zico 40 - 1
S Pearce 40 - 1
C Coleman 40 - 1
K Keegan 40 - 1
J Toshack 40 - 1
P Ince 50 - 1
K Dalglish 50 - 1
G Zola 50 - 1
J Kinnear 50 - 1
H Redknapp 50 - 1
N Quinn 100 - 1

At least no mention of Alan Shearer

[Snadger]

There's another club up for sale!

[SarzWix]

Less of the grinning Mr Snadger, if you please
Whatever I thought/think of Roy Keane in a personal sense, he has been flummin brilliant for Sunderland AFC, and I wouldn't have wanted him to leave unless we actually got relegated... There's still enough of the season left to make a recovery, we've done it before!
There's not many of NKP's list that I fancy as a replacement either Houllier mebbe, but doubt he'd come! Don't want Allardyce!!

[nkp1962]

Sarah

After seeing all home games this season I think he lost the dressing room - his 'fall outs' with certain players spring to mind & it seems they all thought 'me next?'

Dont get me wrong - he (and Niall Quinn) have certainly raised the clubs profile, but managers & chairman do not stay forever, unlike the club?

Gutted hes has left, as I thought the club was on the right track, but for what it's worth, my feelings for next manager are (in no order): -

Alan Curbishley
Slavan Bilic
Alan Pardew

As a possiblity - a Sunderland fan - Phil Brown at Hull

or a long shot - Keane to Celtic & Strachan to SoL

Snadger - is the club still up for sale or is Mr Ashley going to stay, as you are reportedly interested in a £20M player this morning

NKP

[SarzWix]

or a long shot - Keane to Celtic & Strachan to SoL

I'll be interested to see where he ends up next, and whether it was already arranged before he left Call me cynical
Phil Brown would be great, he's done wonders at Hull, but I don't think he'll want to leave there before the end of the season, I know I wouldn't.
Time will tell!

[nkp1962]

As long as it's not Sgt. Bilko (Howard Wilkinson for the uninitiated)

I know Phil Browns sister - might have to put some pressure on, as I think they will be a one season wonder (and we pley them on the 20th!)