Sunderland are looking likely for the drop come the end of the season, and could part ways with David Moyes if relegated.
Sunderland manager David Moyes with Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe
With relegation looking nailed on the for the Black Cats this season, Sunderland fans are bracing themselves for the worst possible end to what has been a pretty miserable season.
And now a former Sunderland striker has had his say on the Black Cats future, stating that he would like to see the club change managers in the summer, should they end up in the Championship.
According to a report in the Sunderland Echo, former striker Stephen Elliott believes Roy Keane should be given another chance to manage Sunderland, should the club be relegated.
Elliott, who made 81 appearances for the Black Cats, played under Keane when the Irishman took Sunderland to the Premier League, and is still an admirer of the former Manchester United Captain’s managerial qualities – insisting Keane is the man the situation is “screaming out for”.
Republic of Ireland assistant coach Roy Keane
“If they do decide to change the guy in the dugout again, there’s one man who is screaming out for the position in my view,” Elliott said in his recent blog column for sportdec.com
“I was at the club when they were last relegated to the Championship, it was a similar situation to the one they face now. There was real doom and gloom around the club.
“Roy Keane came in and like a saviour, he lifted the whole place in an instant. Just over 10 years after his first step into management, I feel it’s the perfect time for Roy to get back in the hot seat.”
Sunderland manager Roy Keane
Despite being out of the managerial hot-seat since departing Ipswich Town, Roy Keane has been working closely with a former Sunderland manager, Martin O’Neil, as part of the Republic of Ireland national team.
Often perceived as the “bad-cop” to O’Neil’s ‘good-cop’, Roy Keane is a personality who splits opinions, but former striker Elliott thinks the Black Cats could do a lot worse:
“I think the club could do worse than give him the reigns again.
“I think the club need somebody that will get the supporters coming to the games with a belief and a spring in their steps again. I’ve no doubt that Keane would do this and more. I feel the club would be getting a much better manager the second time round.”
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane
So what do you think Sunderland fans? Would you like to see Roy Keane back at the helm if the club go down? Or would you like to stick with David Moyes and see if he can get you up out of the Championship?
Sunderland manager David Moyes
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