Roy took us as far as he could, admits Quinn

SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn believes accepting Roy Keane’s resignation was “the best thing to do” after admitting the Irishman felt he had taken the club as far as he could.

“He had put a lot of effort in here, brought more than just his presence here — he brought a way of thinking into this place,” said Quinn.

“He was instrumental in developing a winning mentality — that was the toughest thing of all for him to come and do when we were at the foot of the Championship. He brought standards to this club which are amazing. But to do that, it’s intense.

“He is such a respected figure around the world that the media is intense, the fan pressure is intense. I tried for two years to keep as much pressure off him as possible, but obviously the Premier League is the Premier League and I guess it came to the point where Roy thought he had reached the end of that journey.”

Former Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer said he was not shocked at Keane’s decision to leave the club.

“It’s a pressure-cooker situation up there. Results have been bad and knowing Roy Keane is as volatile as he is when he comes under pressure, I’m not surprised.”

He added: “I don’t think he treats it (football) as a matter of life and death. I’m not saying that’s how you should but I think Roy is the kind of person who if it’s not for him, it’s not for him and he’ll make a decision and stick by it. He’ll justify it with the right people around him, his agent and family. Roy’s not one for humming and ahhing about things.”

Looking to the future, McAteer is uncertain whether Keane will look to continue his managerial career at another club.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s about what Roy Keane wants, not what anyone else wants. Stan Collymore was a player that no-one wanted to touch because of his attitude but most managers thought they could get the best out of him and I can see that scenario with Roy Keane.

“I don’t know whether chairmen will look around and think ‘do we take that chance’ but I think there will always be one who thinks ‘Roy’s the man for our club’. So I think he will always be involved in football, it’s just whether he wants to take that chance again.”

He added: “Roy is a difficult person to befriend. He is quite aloof as a person involved in a squad but I’d have to say he’s one of the most professional people I’ve ever worked with. Undoubtedly, he’s one of the best footballers I’ve ever played with. He was world-class but I can’t say we were ever friends and I don’t think we ever would be in the future.”