Keane cut short wait to join Sunderland

New Sunderland boss Roy Keane today admitted he had intended to wait longer before stepping into the world of football management.

Former Manchester United captain Keane took over the Black Cats following their victory against West Brom yesterday which lifted the side off the bottom of the Coca-Cola Championship.

And the former Republic of Ireland skipper told a press conference televised by Sky Sports News: “It’s been a very hectic few days, I’m absolutely knackered already.

“I got back from my holiday on Saturday, came up to meet Niall and the staff and players on Sunday and went to the game yesterday.

“I met the players again this morning on the training pitch. It’s been very tiring but enjoyable, I’ll be glad to get back onto the training pitch and get on with the work ahead.

“Three months ago I spoke with the owners and Niall but my priority at that time was to start working on getting my coaching badge in July and August.

“In that time they didn’t get a manager. They came back in last Monday when I was in Portugal and initially I thought I was going to wait longer. But I thought ‘what am I waiting for, the challenge is there’.

“Sunderland is a big club, with a beautiful stadium, a big fan base and I thought ‘why not?”’

Keane insists his immediate objective is to build on yesterday's victory.

When asked about his aims, Keane said: “To keep up the level of performance yesterday. I thought they were outstanding and credit goes to Niall and the other staff for that.

“Hopefully in the next few days I can try to bring in new players and strengthen in terms of experience. If I get anyone in it’s a bonus but hopefully we can bring a bit more to the club.”

Keane has been trying to bring former Manchester United assistant boss Brian Kidd to the Stadium of Light but that move is now unlikely in the near future.

“I spoke with Brian last week, he’s got a lot of family commitments at the moment and we’ve moved on, but I’ve left the door open for him,” said Keane.

“I’ve brought Tony (Loughlan, head coach) with me, there are already good coaches at the club so I’m not looking to make too many changes too quickly.

“The players and staff deserve their chance.”

Keane and chairman Niall Quinn insist their working relationship will be fine, despite the pair falling out in the dispute over training-ground facilities which led to Keane walking out on the Republic of Ireland as they prepared for the 2002 World Cup in Saipan.

Keane said: “I think it will be fine lot of people are making a big issue of the past but we sorted it out a few months ago.

“I think it’s important to move on. I apologise if I’ve done something wrong but I really don’t see a problem. That’s the kind of character I am.

“I’ve played under some great managers, some good managers, and I hope I can take the best of all of them, although it’s new to me and it’s going to be a learning curve.

“People will go on about inexperience but one or two experienced managers have had this job before and it’s not quite worked out.

“Over the years I’ve crossed that white line – it cost me a place at the World Cup in 2002 and maybe my Manchester United career. But I care about the game and who I’m playing for and with.

“All I expected from my team-mates was 100%. I never criticised people for having bad games, I criticised people for slacking off and not being focused on the job.

“If the staff or players take their eye off the ball and are not prepared to give 100% there will be a problem. It’s very, very straightforward.”

Keane believes the time he spent under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United can prove beneficial to him – despite admitting for the first time he had fallen out with the Scot.

The 35-year-old added: “I enjoy the way he looked after players.

“I was rightly punished but I’m sure I can pick the phone up anytime – and I’m sure he can lend me some players if I need any.

“Over the coming days, weeks and years I’ll look to get the balance right and sometimes that comes with experience.

“But I’m glad I’ve got this opportunity – I wouldn’t be sitting here if I thought I couldn’t do it.”

Keane added: "When I retired I thought I'd have one or two years out of the game but after going on my `A' badge course and being on the training pitch with people I thought `I think this is for me'.

“Fortunately the opportunity came back up with Sunderland. I thought I had to give it a go. If it doesn’t work out at least I can say I did that, if I hadn’t taken it I may have looked back in six months.”

Quinn said: "I feel very proud the club can attract a figure such as Roy - he brings everything that can lift this club to where it should be.

“It’s onwards and upwards. We have a common goal – we want to drive this club forward and succeed.

“I think it’s going to be a really healthy relationship – we’ll probably fall out again but I’m thrilled for the club.

“We feel it’s something the football world can take note of and say ‘how did you pull it off?’. We feel we’ve been very fortunate.”

Quinn, whose final game in charge of the Wearside club brought a first win of the season after five straight defeats, continued: “I would love to have handed over with us top of the league and still in the Carling Cup.”

However, the 39-year-old former Sunderland striker hinted that his brief spell in management could be beneficial.

Dublin-born Quinn explained: “I realise how hard it is so perhaps I will be more patient.

“Roy has the brief to take the club where he sees it – and he’s got as much time as he wants.

“He’s the safest bet of every manager put in front of me – all the lights came on with Roy Keane’s name – it became an obvious choice.

“I said yesterday the players grew an inch or two when they said ‘hello’ to Roy and the result reflected that – and that was just in 24 hours.”