Ferguson 'surprised' by Keane exit

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted surprise at the resignation of his former player Roy Keane as Sunderland manager.

Keane stepped down at the Stadium of Light yesterday after a poor run of results left the club in the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League.

When asked for his reaction Ferguson, who signed Keane in 1993 and was his manager at Old

Trafford for 12 years, told Sky Sports News: “I am surprised, yes."

“Trying to cut through rumour and fact in football today is difficult. You are never quite sure what has happened and the rumour mill is operating at 100 miles an hour.

“But Roy was a great player here and it is a pity. We wish him well.”

Ferguson has no idea when, or indeed if, Keane will return to the management ranks.

“It is difficult to say whether he will be back,” said the Scot. "He is an incredibly controversial character. Every week he always had something to say about the game. He was the same as a player.

“He is such an interesting character and did a decent job up there.”

Sunderland are due to face Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Meanwhile, another of Keane’s former bosses, Brian Kerr, expects Keane to come back in the future.

Kerr, the former Ireland chief, said: “He has a vast knowledge and feeling for the game.

“It’s not gone too well for him as a manager but I am sure he will learn from that and I am sure he can become a very good manager in the future.”

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is convinced Keane will return to the game wiser and stronger.

Hughes believes his former Manchester United team-mate has much to offer on the coaching side.

He said: “Roy is a young man and still has a great future in the game. Maybe he just needs that breathing space to refresh himself, take a step back and learn from the experience.

“He will have had his reasons for leaving Sunderland. He is a very forthright and straight guy.

“Once he makes a decision he sticks to his guns. That seems to be what has happened here.

“You just sensed he was going to consider his future and possibly walk away and that is what has happened.”