Sky Sports report that Roy Keane has turned down the chance to return to Sunderland as manager – with Alex Neil now set to take over at the Stadium of Light. Both Gabby Agbonlahor, and Micah Richards have reacted.
Keane, 50, managed Sunderland for 100 matches between 2006 and 2008 – winning 42 times. He last managed Ipswich Town over a decade ago, between 2009 and 2011. He has since taken up assistant roles.
The last came in the form of the assistant role at Nottingham Forest, the club he played for before joining Manchester United. He was in talks with Sunderland, but Keane has turned down the move after talks fell through.
Keane is set to remain a pundit on Sky Sports instead of taking over at Sunderland – and the outlet reported as much on their Instagram page. It comes after Agbonlahor spoke of his time under Keane at Aston Villa.
Agbonlahor and Richards react: Keane rejects Sunderland move
Villa’s all-time Premier League goalscorer Agbonlahor shocked many when discussing a possible move to Sunderland for Keane, on TalkSPORT. He spoke of how Keane was disrespectful to Villa players during his time there.
Richards, meanwhile, has become close to Keane having worked alongside the Premier League legend on Sky Sports over the last few years. Both Richards and Agbonlahor reacted on Keane’s decision to reject Sunderland.
Richards delivered a five-word message, saying the decision has “crushed his hopes and dreams”. Meanwhile, Agbonlahor – after his comments – said he hopes the decision did not come in relation to his claims.
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