Roy Keane, the former Celtic and Manchester United player-turned pundit, emerges as the frontrunner for the vacant Sunderland manager’s position following the dismissal of ex-Rangers head coach Michael Beale. Beale’s tenure at Sunderland proved to be unsuccessful, securing only four victories in 12 Championship matches, drawing twice, and suffering six defeats. Therefore, Sunderland supporters are eager for a more promising start under their next head coach.
Keane has previously managed Sunderland, marking his managerial debut from August 2006 to December 2008. His return to the club garners attention, considering his rich history with the Black Cats. Additionally, another notable contender for the Sunderland job is Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool legend who achieved Premiership glory with Rangers in 2021. Currently managing Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, Gerrard’s potential interest in transitioning to Sunderland remains uncertain.
Following his retirement from professional football in 2006 at Celtic, Keane was widely expected to excel in football management, given his exceptional leadership qualities as a captain. Having played under iconic managers like Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough, Keane possessed invaluable experience and knowledge of the game. Despite his initial promise, Keane’s managerial journey has been mixed, including a stint at Ipswich Town from 2009 to 2011, which ended in dismissal due to poor performance. Since then, Keane has held various coaching roles but has not secured a senior managerial position.