Haaland doubts Keane exit motives

ROY KEANE’S bête noir Alf-Inge Haaland has suggested that the Irishman walked out of Sunderland before he was asked to leave after a run of six defeats in seven matches.

The two men famously fell out after Keane admitted in his autobiography that he had intended to hurt Haaland in a Manchester United-Leeds clash in 2001, in a challenge for which Keane was sent off and later handed a five-match ban and £150,000 fine.

“Everyone knows what a big club Sunderland is, and with the crowds they are getting and the passion they have, it’s like Manchester City, you expect them to be right up there,” said Haaland.

“But obviously this hasn’t happened and so that’s one of the reasons they are looking for a change. I know the official version says he walked out but they all say that don’t they? The official reason isn’t always the whole truth in these things.”

Haaland, now working as a property developer in Norway after leaving his hometown club Bryne FK 18 months ago, still keeps an eye on all his former clubs — Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Manchester City — and English football in general.

“Sure, we all keep an eye on the Premier League, it’s such a popular league,” he said.

“I still haven’t heard the reasons for his leaving, but I guess I was surprised as I thought he had a good standing there. But they were doing badly as they had lost many games in a row. But it is a very close league, with just a few wins moving teams up six or more places.”

Haaland has claimed that he is finished with football for good but he would not suggest the same for his former midfield adversary Keane.

“I would guess he would return but I don’t know the person so I haven’t got a clue. All I would say is good luck to him in his next life!”