In the latest edition of Sky Bet’s The Overlap, Republic of Ireland and Manchester United legend Roy Keane reflected on his career in management.

“When I went into management at Sunderland, we were second bottom of the championship but Sunderland was a great club for me. I could have done better at Ipswitch, but there were pluses at Ipswitch. 

“There’s something in there where I could be a good manager, and that’s what’s pulling me to go back in.”

Keane’s tenure at Sunderland ultimately proved mixed, as he secured the Black Cats promotion to the Premier League, but suffered difficulties in the top-flight – notably losing 7-1 to Everton, in a moment described by the former manager as ‘one of the lowest points’ of his career. 

He added: “We got promoted, and that was down to the players – the players were brilliant. We had good backing, good recruitment, we stayed up in the Premier League and I see managers now who, when they stay up, are getting carried around the pitch! I remember being in the dressing room still a bit agitated that we could have done better.”

Keane also commented on the changes in the game since he was a player, having begun his career with Cobh Ramblers in 1989 and finishing with Celtic in 2006, capturing the famous 1999 treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999 with Manchester United.

Some of the most notable changes have been witnessed at The Red Devils themselves, with the club encountering significant hurdles since the departure of long-time manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

“They’ve been chopping and changing managers, everyone thought Morunito was the one, van Gaal was the one, Ole had a good start a couple of years back now. It goes back to recruitment, and the problems upstairs with the Glazers. 

“When we were in the club I felt like everyone was in it together, whether that was right or wrong, and when you’re winning matches that’s what you feel like anyway.”

Source – The Overlap YouTube Channel