Carroll tips Keane to be top boss

Roy Keane has the backing of former Manchester United team-mate Roy Carroll as Sunderland seek to appoint him as their new manager.

If Keane, 35, is installed as the new Black Cats boss it will be his first foray into management only months after he retired from playing.

Despite being untested, Carroll believes Keane has all the qualities to succeed at the Stadium of Light.

“He brings desire and passion. He is a top man. When he was a player he gave 100% and I think he will do that as a manager. It would be nice to see Sunderland winning under Roy,” said Carroll, now the West Ham goalkeeper.

“It is nice to see him back in football. He is a great man and hopefully he will do well.”

Keane left Manchester United last November and signed for Celtic before retiring due to injury at the end of last season.

He was approached by his former Republic of Ireland team-mate Niall Quinn, the Sunderland chairman who took over as interim manager at the start of the season after failing to attract the likes of Martin O’Neill and Sam Allardyce.

But five straight defeats, including a Carling Cup humbling at Bury, convinced Quinn he needed to move quickly and a deal could be settled within days.