Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane is in ‘advanced talks’ to return to Sunderland as manager.
That is according to the MailOnline, who claim that Keane is their first choice to take over the role to replace Lee Johnson.
The report also notes that former Preston North End boss Alex Neil and Grant McCann, who was recently sacked by Hull City, are also in the running for the job.
Keane was coy on talks surrounding the vacant position at Sunderland during a recent appearance on ITV. He was quizzed on the job during their coverage of Manchester United vs Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
“I’ve got no control over that, so no comment,” The Mirrorhe said, as quoted by .
“I’ve made that clear over the last few years I’d like to go back into [football] as a manager but of course a club has to want you.
“You have to want that club and just as important that contract has got to be right so we will see how things take shape over the next few days.”
This all comes not long after Keane reacted to Sky Sports colleague Micah Richards joking about the Irishman becoming United’s interim manager. Keane didn’t see the funny side of that joke and he will be looking to prove his critics wrong by becoming a success at Sunderland again.
Keane enjoyed plenty of success in the job between 2006 and 2008. He led them to the Championship title and kept them in the Premier League before departing in December 2008.
Responding to stories about Keane’s potential return to the Stadium of Light, Martin O’Neill, who made the Irishman his assistant at Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest, said (via The Times): “It’s splendid news.
“It’s a great fit because Roy had success there before.
“From my experiences of working with Roy, I would really want to play for him.
“I would really accept any tough times and hard word for what the praise would mean if I did something terrific to please him.”
