Roy Keane: If Sunderland chiefs left me alone, I’d still be there

With Sunderland searching for a new manager following the departure of Dick Advocaat, a former occupant of the Wearside hotseat has pointed the finger at the Stadium of Light powers that be and suggested that had he been allowed to get on with the job, he might still be at the club.

Since Roy Keane and the club parted company in 2008, after a deterioration in his relationship with owner and chairman Ellis Short, the Black Cats have gone through six more managers, hardly a recipe for stability, never mind success.

“No,” Keane agreed yesterday, “and no doubt that will continue as long as there are certain people in the background. That’s not going to change. They should have just left me alone…I’d still be there.