Keane Quits As Sunderland Manager

• Sky Sports Online, Thursday, December 4, 2008 1:15 PM

Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane resigned Thursday as Sunderland manager, and the club "reluctantly" accepted his decision. Keane had been in talks with club chairman Niall Quinn and the rest of the board over the past couple of days, resulting in his departure.

Quinn said in a statement that Keane deserved "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 single-mindedness were just what this club needed." He added that "even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself. The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future."

Keane took charge in August 2006 and guided Sunderland to the second-tier Championship title the following May. Last season the club avoided relegation from the Premier League by three points and spent $44 million on new players in the offseason. However, just two wins from its past 10 games has put the club in the relegation zone, and after the weekend's 4-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers, Keane wondered aloud if he was the right man for the job.

 

 

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