‘The contract has to be right’ – Man Utd legend Roy Keane hints he wants Sunderland job but is tight-lipped on progress
ROY KEANE has revealed he would like to ‘go back’ into management as reports continue to link him to the vacant Sunderland job – but only if the contract is right.
Keane made the admission while on punditry duty for the FA Cup clash between former club Manchester United and Middlesbrough.
The Irishman, 50, held talks with the Black Cats over the role TODAY, according to the Mail, before travelling down to Old Trafford.
He left Sunderland 13 years ago after a spell in charge, but is linked with the position again after Lee Johnson was axed in the week.
And Keane said on ITV, with a glint in his eye: “I made it clear over the last few years I would like to go back into football as manager one day.
“But of course the club has to want you and you have to want to go to that club and the contract has be right.
“Let’s see what takes shape over the next few days.”
Ian Wright then said to his punditry pal: “Are we losing you? What’s going on here?”
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And Keane replied: “You’d survive Wrighty wouldn’t you, you’d survive without me?”
After Wright said he didn’t think he would, Keane said: “I’ll stay then!”
But he might not be staying on punditry duty for much longer if talks between Sunderland and Keane were productive today.
The interview stage at Sunderland is set to conclude this week, and Keane will hope his passion for the club and the job helps his application.
Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman have held interviews with former Hull City boss Grant McCann as well as Neil Warnock, Neil Lennon and Alex Neil.
Although Keane’s history at the club may help him land the role ahead of the competition.
He resigned from his post in 2009 after a bust-up with owner Ellis Short, but not before he secured promotion to the Premier League two years before.
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