Don't Worry Sunderland Keane Will Stay
It was interesting to read Niall Quinn’s comments at the weekend when he admitted Sunderland will have to fend off interest from rival clubs in manager Roy Keane in the summer.
Interesting because, until a fortnight ago, Sunderland were still one of the favourites to go down and nobody would have been interested in a manager who had just got his side relegated, and interesting because the next few months will tell us much about Keane’s attitude towards the Black Cats and the club’s attitude towards him.
In my last blog entry on Sunderland I likened the Irishman to Brian Clough, which was hardly a revolutionary statement, but a valid one nonetheless.
However, Clough - with the obvious exception of Leeds United - built his reputation by staying at clubs for a long period of time, building them up from relative mediocrity to champions. He felt an attachment to them and the clubs, particularly the fans, adored him for it.
Football, though, is a different game now than it was then. Well, it’s not, the aim of the game is the same and the rules remain largely untouched, but today, it is a big business rather than just a sport and Keane may intend to use the Wearsiders as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, fame and fortune.
There are more glamorous clubs out there, at home and abroad, than Sunderland who would love to have someone like Keane at the helm, clubs who might be able to dangle European football in front of him, as well as big city life and a massive wage packet.
Yet, I do not get the impression that is something that appeals to Keane. He likes the countryside, he already has enough money to keep him and his family in the lifestyle they are accustomed - he will also get a pay rise when he is offered a new contract by Quinn - and he seems to have a genuine affinity for all things red and white.
I think he will be at Sunderland for years. Well, I say years, but what I actually mean is he will be at the Stadium of Light for as long as things don’t go pear shaped before Sir Alex Ferguson retires at Manchester United.
I honestly feel that is the only manager’s job that would tempt Keane to leave Sunderland because he is not stupid. He knows the two most valuable commodities a manager can be given are time and money and he has both at the Stadium of Light.
He has done enough in his first 18 months in the dugout - promotion and, barring any disasters, avoiding relegation - to have built up plenty of goodwill with the board and the supporters. That will take some shifting.
And, in the Drumaville consortium, he also knows he has the financial backing to potentially take Sunderland up another couple of levels. European football may seem a long way off at the moment, but the money he can throw around in the transfer market means the Wearsiders - potentially - have as good a chance as anyone of qualifying for a Uefa Cup slot.
Where else would he go? What can other clubs offer him that Sunderland can’t? And what would Clough have done?
Clough would have told him to stay where he is because he has a good chairman and good supporters. So, while Quinn may be worried about losing him to a rival, I don’t think he should have any sleepless nights about it - as long as there aren’t any calls from Old Trafford!
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Luke Edwards - is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.
i think you are wrong in one sense - i dont think Keane will go to OT after Ferguson.
Anyone with a pre Sky memory of football will remember the traumas United managers went through post Busby. Indeed i would imagine the Man united job for a couple of years post Ferguson will be about the biggest poison chalice in Football. Post Ferguson United only have one way to go and that is not up and Keane - who is no fool - will know that. He is the type who wants to make a mark in his own right.
I have no doubt Keane - if very successful - will one day manage United but that could be 10 years hence - do not forget he is 18 years younger than Wenger and 27 years younger than Fergie.
Football politics rules him out of Newcastle and Liverpool. He would not work for an interfering Chairman at Chelsea nor the circus at White Hart Lane.
In conclusion the only real threat to him being at Sunderland in 5 years time would be Arsenal, failure at SAFC or Drumaville choosing to not to back him in the transfer market (an unlikely scenario given the complete awe the irish inverstors h0ld him in).
Note From Luke
You make a good point about the post Ferguson era at Old Trafford. I certainly wouldn't want to go there straight after him.
Alright, alright you two wise guys, I've sussed this blarney out about Keano being poached by all the big clubs etcetera, etcetera. It's April fools day and this topic is as daft as Elvis in a B52 on the moon. Now come on lads, grow up and get on with your jobs. Tsk, tsk.
Note From Luke
It's bad luck to make April Fool's jokes after midday Ronnie and you will see that I wrote that piece in the afternoon. Put it this way, if Keane continues to make the same level of improvement at Sunderland as he has done in his first 18 months he will be regarded as one of the best managers in the PL.
It a good thing these sites are anonymous because I might be disowned for saying this, but I think Roy Keane has done an excellent job at Sunderland and credit where credit is due. I've always felt that it's better to have both Newcastle and Sunderland in the Premier League and I'll be pleased if they stay up - as long as we can thrash them in the derby of course and laugh so hard that a little bit of wee comes out! I'll have my keys ready!
Completely disagree, yes, well done for staying in the Premier League after spending £40million! Not to mention most of that £40million being wasted on utter rubbish. Are managers not judged on their signings? Derby, Fulham and Bolton are soo bad this year they are making Sunderland look decent however, I'd be prepared to stake my life savings on Keane never being manager of Man U. Rumours of fallings out with his players, poor signings will spell the end of his managerial career. Roy Keane is destined to be the next Bryan Robson.
Note From Luke
The signings issue is an interesting one because £9m was spent on Craig Gordon who has been superb in the second half of the season. He has also signed Jonny Evans - albeit on loan - and Phil Bardsley who have made a massive difference to the defence. Kieran Richardson has also been a success, as has Kenwyne Jones and Andy Reid. Jones cost £6, Reid £4m and Richardson also £4 so that's half of the £40m right there. Not bad. However, for all the good signings there arethose like Paul McShane, Rade Prica, Michael Chopra who have been far less impressive. However, when everything is taken into consideration, I don't think Keane has done badly at all in the circumstances he is operating in.
Danny Higginbotham etc etc the list of poor signings is endless. Fair point on Johnny Evans but I disagree with Richardson, he has had 2 good games, the rest of the time he's either been anonymous or injured. For all the talk of Roy Keane, my main point is this, once the aura fades (and it will) you'll be left with this generations Graeme Souness. Both were win at all costs midfielders, both started off with relative managerial success (souness did well at Rangers), however both have a tendency to fall out with their players and both will ultimately be remembered as managerial failures!
Note From Luke
I guess only time will tell...
Luke, I too think Roy Keane will stop at Sunderland a long time for reasons stated.
I think True Mag needs to keep his head down because his Mugpies have just gone a complete one third of a season without winning!
Chopra to score twice in a 3-0 victory.
Keane will stay because he wants to stay no other reason, he is a strong personality and is driven by an ambition that is rarely seen in other humans. He has started something at Sunderland and he will see it through to the end that is just the character of the man. Does he want the Old Trafford job ? I don't think so, I just don't see Keane working at OT with the dark shadow of Sir Alex over him. What ever he achieves at Man Utd will not be 100% his and for him it has to be. He left OT under a bit of a cloud and ask Alfe at City if he holds grudges. No Keane is his own man and will do it his way and make something out of Sunderland
Luke
It is just before game time, so how about Newcastle 1 - Reading 2? Hope I am wrong, but....
Note From Luke
Don't worry Jac, you were!
Luke
I am truly humbled by my folly at predicting a Reading win. But I was also very happy to witness. It was intriguing to see the three-striker formation. Typical of KK, I suppose: daring and exciting. And didn't Owen pitch in to defend at times? Good for him. Maybe there IS a new spirit at SJP. NOW I can see a promising nucleus, and if the season ends in the same manner, we can enjoy the summer.