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Roy Keane quits as Sunderland boss after 100 games in charge
By Colin Young
Daily Mail North-East Football Correspondent
Last updated at 1:12 PM on 04th December 2008
Roy Keane has walked out on Sunderland.
The tortured Irishman has not been seen on Wearside since the 4-1 thrashing at home to Bolton on Saturday, Sunderland's fifth defeat in their last six league games.
Chairman Niall Quinn was hoping his former Ireland team-mate would re-consider his decision to walk out after a few days of contemplation, but he has decided to quit after 100 games in charge, the club has confirmed.
Quinn described it as an amicable parting and, in a club statement, said: “The Board has reluctantly accepted his [Keane's] decision and wish him and his family well for the future.
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Centre of a storm: Roy Keane has walked away from Sunderland after a turbulent few weeks
"I would like pay thanks to Roy Keane for all his hard work in progressing this Club, lifting its status and growing its worldwide profile.
More...
“Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the Club from the depths of The Championship back to the Premier League. His winning mentality and singled mindedness were just what this Club needed when Drumaville took over shortly before his arrival.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn says the board has reluctantly accepted Keane's decision to quit
“Roy’s decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the Club. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself."
Sunderland were bottom of the Championship when he took over the reigns from Quinn and he guided the club to the top of the division, winning promotion in his first season.
Last season the former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder kept Sunderland up but after an £80million spending spree, his side have struggled in the Barclays Premier League.
After their first home win over Newcastle in 28 years, Sunderland have fallen to the bottom three in the division, below their north-east rivals, and crashed out of the Carling Cup.
Keane added “I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and in particular the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland and I would like to wish the Club every success in the future.”
Keane, who did not move his family to the region, has been an outspoken and entertaining addition to the league's managers but he has stalled over a new contract to replace the existing one which runs out this season.
He is first believed to have offered to quit before the Blackburn game last month and was persuaded to stay.
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Turning up the heat: Johan Elmander scores the fourth in Bolton's 4-1 win at Sunderland on Saturday
Those rumours surfaced again this week after the abysmal defeat but, despite giving his manager time and space to re-consider, Keane has decided to quit.
Sportsmail understands the players were told this morning that he has left his post.
That means he misses another return to Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Board will now commence the task of identifying and recruiting a successor and Ricky Sbragia has agreed to take over team manageme
By Colin Young
Daily Mail North-East Football Correspondent
Last updated at 1:12 PM on 04th December 2008
Roy Keane has walked out on Sunderland.
The tortured Irishman has not been seen on Wearside since the 4-1 thrashing at home to Bolton on Saturday, Sunderland's fifth defeat in their last six league games.
Chairman Niall Quinn was hoping his former Ireland team-mate would re-consider his decision to walk out after a few days of contemplation, but he has decided to quit after 100 games in charge, the club has confirmed.
Quinn described it as an amicable parting and, in a club statement, said: “The Board has reluctantly accepted his [Keane's] decision and wish him and his family well for the future.
Scroll down for more
Centre of a storm: Roy Keane has walked away from Sunderland after a turbulent few weeks
"I would like pay thanks to Roy Keane for all his hard work in progressing this Club, lifting its status and growing its worldwide profile.
More...
- From Curbishley to Keane: The Premier League managerial merry-go-round in full swing
- Sportsmail's verdict on the £80m Sunderland transfer record of Roy Keane - the manager who liked to deal
- Roy's story: The highs and lows of departed Keane
- PAUL HAYWARD: Forget the self-torture, Keane - be a gladiator once more
- SUNDERLAND NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET
“Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the Club from the depths of The Championship back to the Premier League. His winning mentality and singled mindedness were just what this Club needed when Drumaville took over shortly before his arrival.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn says the board has reluctantly accepted Keane's decision to quit“Roy’s decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the Club. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself."
Sunderland were bottom of the Championship when he took over the reigns from Quinn and he guided the club to the top of the division, winning promotion in his first season.
Last season the former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder kept Sunderland up but after an £80million spending spree, his side have struggled in the Barclays Premier League.
After their first home win over Newcastle in 28 years, Sunderland have fallen to the bottom three in the division, below their north-east rivals, and crashed out of the Carling Cup.
Keane added “I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and in particular the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland and I would like to wish the Club every success in the future.”
Keane, who did not move his family to the region, has been an outspoken and entertaining addition to the league's managers but he has stalled over a new contract to replace the existing one which runs out this season.
He is first believed to have offered to quit before the Blackburn game last month and was persuaded to stay.
Scroll down for more
Turning up the heat: Johan Elmander scores the fourth in Bolton's 4-1 win at Sunderland on Saturday
Those rumours surfaced again this week after the abysmal defeat but, despite giving his manager time and space to re-consider, Keane has decided to quit.
Sportsmail understands the players were told this morning that he has left his post.
That means he misses another return to Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Board will now commence the task of identifying and recruiting a successor and Ricky Sbragia has agreed to take over team manageme
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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