Roy Keane is closing in on the Sunderland job but warned the Black Cats: ‘The contract has to be right’.
The Ireland legend met club chiefs for formal talks today and a deal is expected to be completed ahead of Tuesday’s clash away to Cheltenham Town.
Keane was working as an ITV pundit at tonight’s FA Cup fourth round clash between Manchester United and Middlesbrough.
And quizzed about returning to Sunderland as boss - having led them to Championship glory in 2007 - Keane said: “I’ve no control over that, so no comment.”
But pushed on his desire to return to management, Keane continued: “Yeah, I’ve made that clear over the last few years that I’d like to go back in as a manager.
“But of course the club has to want you, you have to want to go to that club and just as important the contract has got to be right.”
And with a grin breaking on his face, Keane added: “Listen, we will see how things take shape over the next few days.”
Keane then told his fellow pundit and ex-Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright that “you will survive without me, Wrighty.”
And Wright replied: “Everything has to be right. You can’t just go ‘Roy Keane is going to save us’. Everything has to be right upstairs (at Sunderland).
Keane’s old sparring partner Patrick Vieira has also urged the Cork man, 50, to rekindle his passion for the game by accepting the Sunderland job.
As players, Keane and Vieira enjoyed ferocious midfield battles when Manchester United and Arsenal clashed.
Vieira is now the Crystal Palace boss and he said of Keane today: “ I think deep inside him this is something that he’ll want to try again.
“And I think if there's an opportunity there, I think he will. He will take it. And I will wish him good luck."
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