Keane gets backing of former team-mates

ROY KEANE has been backed by former Manchester United team-mates Mark Hughes and Paul Parker to be a success as manager of Sunderland.

The 35-year-old Cork man was unveiled as Sunderland’s new manager last week and wasted little time in making an impact as he made six signings on transfer deadline day.

Keane will step into the dug-out for the first time at Derby on Saturday with much to prove.

But asked if he was surprised at Keane’s appointment, Hughes said: “No. I think everybody, myself included, felt at some point Roy would take a job. He has gone on record saying he has probably taken one sooner than he anticipated, but I think you have to do that.

“When an opportunity presents itself, you have to take it. It’s a good club for him, it’s a good start, a good fan-base and things are happening there.

“Certainly Roy will go into the job with his eyes open, I am sure. I understand it’s a difficult job, but everybody feels he will be a success as a manager.”

Much of the talk around the launch of the latest phase of Keane’s career has been about his ability to motivate players who do not have the same ability he possessed.

However, Blackburn boss Hughes does not believe that will be a problem.

He said: “That is always levelled at players that have had good careers and then go into management.

“But it’s all about working with what you have got. If a guy is working for you and he is doing his best, then you hope he can do the job you give him.

“If not, you try to work with him, develop him and make him the best he can be.

“If you can gain the utmost from every player you are working with, more often than not you will get some degree of success.”

Parker is confident Keane has “mellowed” and become a changed man from the one he first met at United.

He said: “After knowing what he was like when he first came to Manchester United and getting to know him, I just think he has changed that much.

“He has had a lot of hiccups along the way, but he seems to have mellowed out and he seems to have listened, and he has learnt a lot as well.

“Roy has gone into this with his eyes open and I really believe he is going to do it right, and I really hope it turns out right for him because of the preparation he has put into it.”