Gone: Roy Keane's resignation from the
position of Sunderland manager appears to have sparked celebrations
among the players
"He ruled by fear," said one source close to the squad,
who added that Keane's hardline management methods had alienated
many at the relegation-threatened club.
Keane is understood to have announced his departure by sending
club chairman Niall Quinn a text message. Quinn made several
attempts to contact Keane to try to change his mind, but his calls
and texts went unanswered.
However, Quinn's fears were confirmed when Keane's London-based
solicitor, Michael Kennedy, faxed a statement signed by his client
to the club on Thursday at lunchtime.
Keane later put out a brief statement which read: "I would like
to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and, in particular, the
fans for their support during my time at Sunderland, and I would
like to wish the club every success in the future."
Quinn, who is considering installing Sam Allardyce as Keane's
successor, had returned from a short break in Portugal to sort out
his fellow Irishman's future. But Keane has not been seen at
Sunderland since last Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Bolton and he
maintained his distance by staying at the family home in Cheshire,
from where he has been commuting to Wearside by helicopter
recently.
"After the weekend, without going into too much detail, we gave
him a bit of time to himself because everyone hurts after a result
like that," Quinn told a media conference. "He was down and we
tried to move it along, but we couldn't quite get there.
"He will get a bit of time to himself now and I am sure he will
recharge and get going again, and I am sure we all know the Premier
League hasn't seen the last of him and he has got great things to
come."
Keane did not bother heading to the club's training ground to
bid farewell to the players in person.
Keane's bumpy ride
Sept 2006: Inspires Sunderland to a 2-1 win
over Derby in his first game as manager.
March 2007: Leaves three players behind when they
are late for team bus to Barnsley.
April 2007: Carlo Edwards scores a great winner
over Burnley to put Keane on course for promotion and title.
April 2008: Premier League survival ensured with a
3-2 win over Middlesbrough.
Oct 2008: Sunderland fans dance in thestreet as
they beat Newcastle for the first time in 25 years.
Nov 2008: Keane says he may quit after abject 4-1
defeat by Bolton. He walks away four days later.
