If this week’s documentary cemented the long-held view that winning consumed Roy Keane during his career, then the modern-day equivalent is certainly David Meyler.

Sunderland owner Ellis Short has identified his number one target for the vacant manager’s job at the Stadium of Light after dispensing with the services of Martin O’Neill.

Former England international Steve Coppell believes the sacking of Martin O’Neill by Sunderland’s hierarchy yesterday is a sad indictment of foreign ownership of Barclays Premier League clubs.

Crawley 1 Reading 3

Chelsea’s transformation from the defiant, defensive long-ball side of last year to the fluid inter-passing outfit currently on top of the Premier League has already won manager Roberto Di Matteo plenty of headlines; but is there an equally big revolution quietly taking shape at Manchester United?

Nottingham Forest last night appointed former first-team coach Sean O’Driscoll as their new manager.

Ireland striker Kevin Doyle is ready to take out his frustration on Spain, Italy and Croatia as he plots a Euro 2012 shock.

HAVING impressed in the summer games which concluded with that memorable defeat of Italy in Liege, Stephen Hunt was dismayed to find himself back on the bench again when Ireland returned to the serious business of Euro qualification against Slovakia in September.

Mick McCarthy believes he will be manager of Wolves next season whether or not they are relegated from the Barclays Premier League.

STEVE COPPELL resigned as Bristol City boss yesterday and retired from football management after just two competitive matches with the npower Championship club.

Steve Coppell has resigned as Bristol City boss and retired from football management after just 112 days in charge of the npower Championship club.

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane believes strike partner Kevin Doyle has developed into a force to be reckoned with.c

IAIN DOWIE is expected to be named as the next manager of Barclays Premier League strugglers Hull.

Chairman Adam Pearson is adamant Hull’s new manager will have time to make an impact as the club bid to stave off relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Gary Megson and Alan Curbishley have emerged as the early favourites to replace the sacked Phil Brown as Hull manager.

Reading 1 Burnley 0

BURNLEY are resigned to losing Owen Coyle to Bolton after their manager confirmed his desire to leave Turf Moor yesterday.

Reading 1 Liverpool 1

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside will begin the task of identifying a new manager today with former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga emerging as a surprise candidate.

IF SUPPORTER opinion is to play a part, Bolton will approach Mark Hughes to replace the sacked Gary Megson – but as he weighs up a decision that will shape the Trotters’ future, owner Eddie Davies knows he must get it right.

Gary Megson has finally been booted out of Bolton – the only surprise being he lasted as long as he did.

A new year is looming and, given the events of the last 12 months, nobody will be celebrating with more gusto when the clock strikes midnight on December 31 than Kevin Doyle.

Sacked Portsmouth manager Paul Hart is considering an offer to remain at the club as technical director.

ALEX FERGUSON admits the toughest part of his job these days is dealing with today’s “fragile” footballers.

Alex Ferguson believes the Premier League will turn into a two-horse race as usual this season.

Peterborough have confirmed they have parted company with manager Darren Ferguson after agreeing a financial settlement with the 37-year-old.

IT is the time-honoured complaint of the newly-promoted: rough justice from referees who are more concerned with reputations than hard facts.

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle believes it is harder for newly promoted teams in the Barclays Premier League to earn penalties.

WOLVES are set to announce the signing of Ireland international Kevin Doyle later this morning.

READING have warned Sunderland that they have no intention of budging from their £5m (€5.8m) asking price for their in-demand winger Stephen Hunt.

Reading boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted he may struggle to keep hold of striker Kevin Doyle this summer.

Reading have confirmed the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as the club’s new manager.

Watford have confirmed that Brendan Rodgers has left to become the new manager of Reading.

READING’S Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle yesterday paid tribute to departing Royals manager Steve Coppell.

Steve Coppell has resigned as manager of Reading in the wake of the club’s 2-0 defeat at home to Burnley in the second leg of the Championship play-offs last night.

BURNLEY hit two sensational second-half strikes to book a place in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final as Reading’s dismal home form again cost them a crack at promotion.

Reading 0 Burnley 2 (0-3 on aggregate)

KEVIN DOYLE, pictured, may have played his last game for Reading after the striker suffered an Achilles injury in Saturday’s play-off defeat at Burnley.

Burnley 1 Reading 0

Reading 1 Birmingham 2

Reading 0 Birmingham 1

READING manager Steve Coppell has thrown down the gauntlet to Shane Long ahead of tomorrow’s decisive Championship clash with Birmingham telling the Republic of Ireland striker: “It’s your time to deliver.”

READING’S Noel Hunt missed out on last night’s game against Norwich and, worryingly for Giovanni Trapattoni, could even be out for the remainder of the season.

Blackpool 2 Reading 2