Roy Keane has joked it all came 'down to money' when asked by Gary Neville why he was not appointed Sunderland manager.
The Manchester United legend had been identified by the Black Cats as their number one target to replace former head coach Lee Johnson earlier this month.
It would have marked a sensational return for Keane to the Stadium of Light, having previously guided Sunderland from the Championship to the Premier League in his first job in management.
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The 50-year-old has not held the top post at a club since leaving Ipswich Town in 2011, although he had worked as an assistant since with Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland.
However, reports indicate Keane turned down an offer from the club after two interviews, and Sunderland instead appointed Alex Neil.
The former Norwich City and Preston North End boss is still searching for the first win of his managerial career on Wearside, having registered two draws and a defeat in his first three matches in charge.
Keane joined Neville and Jamie Carragher on 'The Overlap Live', and was asked by his former Red Devils team-mate what happened with the prospective job.
The former Black Cats boss joked: "As usual, it comes down to money. I knew I was committed to this tonight!"
Keane proved to be a popular choice with Sunderland fans judging by the results of our Chronicle Live survey, despite his recent lack of managerial work.
The former Republic of Ireland international has become well-known for his forthright views as a media personality, and he told presenter Kelly Cates why he accepted his first punditry role.
Keane said: "I was just never that bothered about it. When you're playing, you're in the zone and I never took too much notice of what people were saying.
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"I kind of just fell into it really after I left Ipswich. I think [Manchester] United were in the Champions League final at Wembley, and ITV got in touch.
"I was in my house in Ipswich and was like 'will I, won't I', and a few days before the final my solicitor went they'd like an answer quickly and I read my horoscope that day and it said you can't keep saying no to people.
"So I said I'd do it, and I don't mind just giving my opinion and going home."
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