Roy Keane’s managerial return? Sunderland chairman gives opinion on Man United legend

Despite being one of the most popular pundits for Sky Sports and ITV, Manchester United legend Roy Keane has dropped hints at a desire to return to management after 13 years.

While Keane recently spoke out on the Stick To Football podcast to play down rumours of the Manchester United legend’s return to management, the Irishman has been linked with a return to former club Sunderland following the departure of manager Tony Mowbray in December.

However, according to a report from The Daily Mail, chairman Louis-Dreyf never even considered Keane for the job, which has since been given to Micheal Beale.

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“The Roy Keane potential with Sunderland played out much more in the media than it really did in conversations that we had in the club.

“The second we did make the change, I knew there was going to be criticism in the moment, but the only thing I try to do is to make the decisions that I feel are the right ones for the football club.”

Co-owner Juan Sartori added: “I think Roy Keane would have been fun, definitely good for the [Sunderland ‘Til I Die] Netflix series, but maybe we had a third season of disastrous finishing.”

Keane previously managed the Black Cats from 2006-2008, a time which saw the club return to the Premier League, having won the Championship in Keane’s first season as manager.

However, after 27 months in charge, Keane stood down as manager as Sunderland struggled in the 2008-09 season under his leadership.