Roy Keane Manchester United
Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane has shed light on the long-standing dispute regarding his departure from the club. Keane, who was instrumental in leading Sunderland from the Championship to the Premier League and securing their survival in the top flight, left the Stadium of Light midway through his third season in charge.
Roy Keane said: “You think about getting sacked, that’s just the start of it. People are trying to get their few bob. Sunderland, with me, went on for about four-and-a-half years with owners and Ellis Short…”
Keane explained that the dispute arose from the negotiation of his exit package. Initially, he had reached an agreement with then-chairman Niall Quinn, but the club’s new ownership later questioned the legitimacy of the deal.
Keane continued: “It was because of who done the deal. Niall [Quinn] had done the deal with my solicitor. It was amicable, there was a few bob here and there. Then he was saying Niall didn’t have the jurisdiction to do it, even though Niall was the chairman. That was the problem. They’re finding the excuses.”
The disagreement reportedly centered on technicalities within the paperwork, with Short’s ownership group allegedly disputing whether Quinn had the authority to finalize the terms of Keane’s severance agreement.
Keane added: “That termination bit (wasn’t in the contract). There was a fee agreed, and you would shake hands and go your separate ways. It’s that word ‘amicable’, isn’t it? That’s where it gets messy.”
Keane took charge of Sunderland in August 2006, shortly after the club had been relegated to the Championship. His arrival marked a dramatic turnaround as he led the team to win the Championship title in his first season, ending Sunderland’s brief stint in the second tier. During his tenure, Keane signed several former Manchester United teammates, including Dwight Yorke, Liam Miller, and Kieran Richardson, and guided the club to safety in their first season back in the Premier League.
Despite his success, tensions began to rise behind the scenes during his third season, particularly after businessman Ellis Short increased his ownership stake in the club. Keane resigned in December 2008, later citing differences with both Short and Quinn. His tenure at Sunderland is remembered for reviving the club during a challenging period and re-establishing a connection with the fanbase, though it ultimately ended on difficult terms.
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