Losing ‘one hundred times worse’ for manager Keane

ROY KEANE admits the pain of defeat has worsened since he became a manager.

Keane was on the losing side for the first time as Sunderland boss last weekend when his side went down 3-1 at Sheffield Wednesday.

For a man whose intensity was renowned as a player, defeat was always hard to bear — but as he prepared the Black Cats for today’s visit of Sheffield Wednesday, the 35-year-old revealed it hurts a lot more when you are in charge. Asked how he reacted as a player, he said: “Not very well, no — and it is worse as a manager, definitely worse. A hundred times, I would say.

“You have just got to get on with it. As a manager, you are more responsible for everything at the club, so it hurts a lot more.

“But it makes you even more determined that it does not happen again.”

Despite the occupational hazard of occasional defeat, Keane knows he is in the right job.

“Even after the game on Saturday night— as much as it was hurting me, I thought ‘I would not want to be anywhere else’. This is where I am; this is the challenge for me at this moment in time.

“I have to say I could not be happier — not with the defeat, but with the challenge that lies ahead.”

Sunderland revealed on Thursday that chairman Niall Quinn’s Drumaville consortium have gained total control of the club — which will allow for greater investment.

That in itself will increase expectation.

Keane, meanwhile, said: “The hard work started the day we took over.

“It is important you do not get too carried away by a victory or too down.

Sonia O’Sullivan is teaming up with Keane for the BUPA Great North Run weekend to raise money for charity.

O’Sullivan, winner in 1998 and 2002, and the second fastest woman of all-time, will be taking part in Sunday’s BUPA Great North Run — kitted out in a Sunderland football shirt — to raise money for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Today, Sonia is a guest of Keane’s at the Stadium of Light where she hopes to raise money from a collection for the charity at the Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday football match.

She said: “I really enjoy taking part in the World’s biggest half marathon. But this year I am creating a challenge for myself. I have decided to run wearing a Sunderland jersey — apparently a very brave thing to do through the streets of Newcastle!”