LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Chairman of Sunderland reacts during the on March 14, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane has been linked with a return to the role as the club search for a permanent option to appoint in the summer.
Mike Dodds was appointed as interim manager until the end of the season after former boss Michael Beale was sacked after just two months in charge. Dodds had been in this position between Tony Mowbray’s sacking and Beale’s arrival. He won both of his games in charge in that short run, but that form hasn’t been replicated in this second stint. They have lost three on the bounce since the former Queens Park Rangers manager’s departure.
Many names have been thrown into the conversation, like Will Still – the boss of Stade de Reims who attracted the attention of the Black Cats when they got rid of Mowbray, as per the Sunderland Echo. But the former Manchester United captain has been mentioned by a local journalist too, and Keane has responded to that suggestion.
Roy Keane’s response to Sunderland manager job links
BBC Radio Newcastle’s Nick Barnes said, on Total Sport, that Keane is making himself known to clubs who have managerial vacancies, and that another former boss of the Black Cats is in the mix too.
“Some names have been thrown into the hat. Alex Neil, we know about. He is on an absolute Sunderland charm offensive at the moment.
“Roy Keane is making a lot of noises that he would be happy to return, but I don’t think it will be under this ownership model. If the ownership was right, I could see him coming, but I don’t think he would come with this current ownership.
Barnes added: “Ole Gunnar Solskjær has also thrown his hat in the ring, I’m told, and so has Scott Parker. There are lots of names in the frame, but we will have to wait and see. If they wanted Will Still in December/January then the chances are that they will still be looking at a coach of his ilk. I think a lot depends on what happens in the summer in terms of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and if he’s still here.
