Roy Keane Stepped Down as Sunderland Manager

(This entry was originally posted in this blog on December 4, 2008 and the information is based on that time.)

Former legend of Manchester United, Roy Keane, has recently stepped down as Sunderland manager recently following his side’s 4-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers. Club Chairman Niall Quinn said that he had tried to convince Keane to stay at the club, but that was of no avail as Keane thought it was time for him to leave the club. Picking up 15 points from 15 matches, Sunderland has moved down to the relegation zone in the point table. So, Keane’s departure has come as another blow for Sunderland.

Roy Keane took over Sunderland’s managerial job in August 2006 when the club was struggling in the relegation zone in the football league (the second flight of English football). From that point, Keane guided Sunderland to get promotion to the premier league as the champion of the football league. Last season, Sunderland also survived in the league. However, the club has not been performing well so far this season. In fact, Sunderland lost 6 out of their last 7 matches in the league.

Now, Ricky Sbragia will carry out Keane’s job on a permanent basis until a new manager is appointed. Reserve-team coach Neil Bailey and senior member of the Sunderland squad Dwight Yorke will help Sbragia. In an important premier league match, Sunderland will face Manchester United at home in their upcoming match.

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