Roy Keane reveals why he snubbed the Sunderland manager’s job

Roy Keane reveals why he snubbed the Sunderland manager’s job after weeks of him being the favourite and interviewed on numerous occasions.

The former footballer, now a pundit on Sky Sports, turned down a chance to return to the Black Cats, revealing he’s spoken to “a lot of clubs” with none being quite right.

Roy Keane snubbed Sunderland because the “money” wasn’t right despite being the number one choice to replace sacked Lee Johnson at the League One outfit this month.

Speaking at Gary Neville’s ‘The Overlap and Sky Bet in Manchester on Thursday night, the Irishman revealed: “As usual it came down to money!

“There’s always offers of work, but the deal just didn’t fall into place.

“There’s lots of pitfalls as an ex-player, but you’ve got to keep yourself busy.

“But everything has got to be right, the contract and the challenge.

“I’ve spoke to a lot of clubs but they’ve not been the right fit.”

Keane, 50, famously guided Sunderland to a famous Premier League promotion in 2007.

And he was popular with Sunderland supporters during his 2006-08 managerial reign.

But after over a week of discussions during a second interview, Keane and his representatives couldn’t agree a deal.

“I did ok at Sunderland, it wasn’t easy at Ipswich, but I’d like to get back into management,” he admitted.

“But there’s some brilliant managers out there and it’s not easy.

“But if I don’t get another chance then it’s not the end of the world.”

Asked whether he consider working abroad, Keane – who was last a manager at Ipswich in 2011 – said: “Going abroad would be difficult, but you’ve got to be open-minded about it.”

And he categorically ruled out taking the United job.

“That’s never going to happen,” he stressed.

My CV wouldn’t warrant it – it’s as simple as that.

“The Man Utd job is a tough job.”

Neville admitted he regretted ever taking the Valencia job.

Neville was sacked after a miserable spell in Spain.

“I didn’t deserve that job, reflected Neville.

I should have said no.

“I actually lost my confidence over there. I remember looking in the mirror one day and I knew I was really struggling.

“I had to get out of there. It was horrible.”

Twitter users reacted as Roy Keane reveals why he snubbed the Sunderland manager’s job, see what was tweeted below…

@Houghton1956: It was all about money in my opinion. Seems we dodged a bullet there.

@brettd1981: Seems the high wage demands may have had an element of truth to them

@DavidHindmarsh7: “It didn’t fall into place last week. It wasn’t meant to be. “Everything has to be right. The right challenge. The right contract. You have to fancy it.” But he wasn’t offered the job, aye right 😂

@1892Magpies: Haha skint are they?

Paul Purvis: So as I’ve always said the money was more important than the job. It’s League 1 Roy 🙄

Martin James Seed: Loves the media where he can play ‘ scary Roy ‘

Gary Coates: Job tooOOO BIG for him!!!!

Michael Phillips: Personally, I am pleased that he bottled it!

Paul Murray: Imo he would have fallen out with our 24 year old owner within 5 minutes….. ‘what do you know about football?’ ‘I don’t care about your project!’ – can hear it now.

Darren Adamson: Paul Murray either that or bully him into running the club into the ground 😬 think it would have been very much shit or bust under Keane!

Ian Weir: What an arrogant twat Keane is. How the hell can he think he is worth high wages as a manager when he hasn’t done that since he failed miserably at Ipswich.

Mark Adams: I really, really don’t get it. Multi millionaires who chunter on that they’d love to do this, that and the other cause they’re really passionate/want to finish what they started/need to prove themselves/need to scratch that itch, and a thousand more claptrap clichés. Forget about money (you don’t need any more!) and try to remember why you love the game and what it’s given you… 🔴⚪

John Hamilton: If we get a proper owner of our club he might change his mind, we will still be be in this shit league next season

Daren Leng: Basically he wanted a lot of money and to be fair to the board I wouldn’t have paid it either, based on the 50k a week banded around. He hasn’t managed for a long time and last time at Sunderland spent a lot of money on mostly rubbish, bar 1 or 2. I like him but too much of a risk at such a high price for me. Glad we have Alex now

Nrb Salohcin: Funny how all the pro-Keane brigade can’t see past their blinkers. His ego is massive (in indirect proportion to his ability). The right club would have to come in for him? What was he expecting? Barca or PSG to roll out the red carpet? Even Villa, Everton or his beloved Man Utd didn’t consider him. He hasn’t been in management for 11 years and failed miserably at his last (2nd) club. I’m not saying the ownership isn’t beyond reproach but I applaud them for not being held to ransom by unrealistic wage demands.

Matt Crighton: I feel it’s a bit ironic that it come down to money. I’m almost certain he’d be doing his nut if players didn’t join his side because the money wasn’t right. He’d he saying that players have an opportunity to come and play football at a big club etc. He has now had the opportunity to come and restart his coaching career at a big club and he’s put it all down to money. I completely understand that’s what we all work for but there has to be a desire to come here too. If I hadn’t been approached in a few years and had the chance to become a coach again, like him, the money wouldn’t be too important for now. The owners probably deserve a bit of credit for not throwing money at him just to get him here.