Manchester United legend Roy Keane could be set for a return to management with Sunderland – and even before his move into the dugout, it was clear the two were a match made in heaven.
Keane of course made his first move into management with the Black Cats back in 2006 and guided them back to the Premier League before walking out on the club in 2008.
Following the sacking of Lee Johnson this week though, the former United captain looks to be in the frame for a return to the Stadium of Light.
According to reports, Keane held productive talks with Sunderland earlier this week and is now mulling over the offer made to him.
Should he accept, it would be the 50-year-old’s first managerial role since working as Martin O’Neill’s assistant at Nottingham Forest in 2019, while he was last a manager himself at Ipswich in 2011.
Despite not ending on the best of terms, his first spell in charge of Sunderland was nevertheless a success as he guided the club to promotion from the Championship.
And his actions as a player will no doubt ingratiate himself with the Black Cats’ support again – in particular, his feelings towards Newcastle.
Keane first took a dig at Sunderland’s bitter rivals back in 1996, when the Magpies infamously threw away a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League before United wrapped up the title with a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough on the final day of the season.
"We thought it was all over! No, we kept plugging away and we always knew Newcastle would slip up," Keane joked after United were confirmed as champions.
"Luckily enough they did, and we just kept plugging away and, as I said, I think we definitely deserved it.”
And there was no love lost between Keane and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, with the pair coming to blows when they met in September 2001.
With United losing 4-3 at St James’ Park, Keane saw red after lashing out at Shearer, admitting afterwards that his only regret was not landing his punch.
“I lost my temper, we were losing 4-3, I think, in the last minute,” Keane said.
“If you’re going to get sent off, the worst thing is, I pushed him. If you’re going to get sent off you might as well punch him properly because you’re going to get the same punishment.
“You might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. That’s what I was thinking afterwards. It was just a push. It was ridiculous.”
Although the incident might have got him in a bit of trouble – and Keane himself admitted he considered retiring afterwards – it will do him no harm if he is to make his return to Sunderland.
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