Report: Ex-Premier League manager out of the running for Sunderland job

By Dylan Walsh

Roy Keane is reportedly out of the running to take over the vacant manager position at Sunderland.

According to the Athletic, the Sky Sports pundit and Premier League icon won’t be making a return to the Stadium of Light despite reports that the former Republic of Ireland international was the favourite to land the position.

Keane has previously managed Sunderland before with the 50-year-old taking the Black Cats from the Championship to the Premier League in 2007 before claiming top-flight safety in the following season.

Despite leaving in December 2008, Keane has since admitted he was disappointed about how his time with Sunderland came to an end. And now, the Irishman is out of contention for the position 14 years after his departure.

As per the report, Sunderland hope to hire a new full-time manager before their massive trip down to south London on Saturday to face AFC Wimbledon, with the League One side losing their last three matches.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Grant McCann and Alex Neil are also in the frame to take charge at Sunderland, yet with Keane now out of the picture, there could be a surprise candidate in the wings ready to take over at the northeast club.

Keane would have been perfect manager for Sunderland

With experience already managing the club and a connection to Sunderland, Keane would have been perfect to take control of the Black Cats and to finally steer them out of League One after what feels like an eternity in the third-tier.

Keane has already shown he can win promotion with Sunderland, and whilst that came during a very different time with the club, the former Manchester United skipper would have been the perfect saviour for the Stadium of Light side.