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    Roy Keane turns down opportunity to return as Sunderland manager amid contractual issues

    Planet Sport writerStaff Writer10 February 2022
    Roy Keane has rejected the chance to take over as manager of Sunderland

    Roy Keane has rejected the chance to take over as manager of Sunderland

    Roy Keane is no longer in the running to become the new Sunderland manager, after talks broke down with his former club.

    Keane took charge of the Black Cats between 2006 and 2008, where he earned them promotion to the top flight at the first time of asking.

    Having resigned in December 2008, the 50-year-old seemed set to reunite with his former club 14 years later, but Keane instead turned down the opportunity.

    Sunderland sacked former boss Lee Johnson at the end of last month following a 6-0 drubbing to Bolton, and Keane immediately appeared the frontrunner for the role.

    However, even after hinting at a return during his punditry this week, talks seem to have broken down with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.
    Sources have suggested that contractual issues played a part in the collapse of the deal.
    Former Hull manager Grant McCann and ex-Norwich and Preston boss Alex Neil have now emerged as favourites to replace Johnson.
    Sunderland sit fourth in League One following three successive defeats, and with Keane now out of the running, they'll be eager to swiftly appoint a replacement as they look to revive their promotion hopes.

    READ MORE: Roy Keane the manager: The best stories from his first spell coaching Sunderland

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