Roy Keane Manchester United
Ross Wallace has expressed his belief that Sunderland will need an extraordinary season to finish above Newcastle United in the Premier League, despite their promising start. Sunderland currently sits fourth in the league standings, having secured five wins and 19 points from 11 matches. This impressive form has placed them nine points clear of the relegation zone and just three points behind second-placed Manchester City. In stark contrast, Newcastle United has struggled, finding themselves in 14th place with only three wins and 12 points, having lost their last two matches against West Ham United and Brentford.
Ross Wallace said: “Tough one, it’s a possibility. The opportunity is there for them to finish above them [Newcastle], but that would be some going at the end of the season. If Sunderland finish above Newcastle this season, Sunderland would have had a remarkable season. It’s still a good Newcastle side. I’ve worked under Eddie Howe at Burnley, so I know Eddie and the staff will be disappointed with the recent results, but Eddie will get them going again. Quality always shines through in the end, they’ve got good power and good strength. If Sunderland finish above Newcastle, it’s a hell of a season for Sunderland.”
Wallace’s comments come ahead of the much-anticipated Tyne-Wear derby, which will be the first in the Premier League since 2016. Both teams face challenging fixtures before the derby, making it difficult to predict their standings at that time. However, Sunderland’s current form gives them confidence to face any challenges ahead.
Ross Wallace added: “If you look at both teams and their form, football’s about today, it’s not about last week or last month. Sunderland have the feel-good factor. Newcastle are sort of tip-toeing through the season – a couple of good results, then an iffy result. It’s about momentum. Sunderland are playing well and they’ll fancy their chances.”
In addition to discussing Sunderland’s prospects, Wallace also commented on the possibility of Roy Keane returning to management. Keane, who managed Sunderland during Wallace’s tenure, led the team to the Championship title in 2006/07 and a respectable Premier League finish the following year.
Ross Wallace said: “Yes, I think that may suit him [Roy Keane managing an international team]. That might be perfect for him. It’s not as intense and week-in, week-out. He could go and watch [club] games, and he’d obviously have the international stuff as well. I think that would be a fantastic job if [the Republic of] Ireland could get him in. He’d definitely put the demand on the players. But if he was going in, I’d like to see him get coaching staff who are really hands on. He needs to get his backroom staff right. Which he did at Sunderland – Tony Loughlan was a brilliant coach there, Neil Bailey and Ricky Sbragia as well. He had good staff.”
Wallace expressed his admiration for Keane’s managerial style and success at Sunderland, noting that Keane’s experience and media work have likely enhanced his understanding of football management.
Ross Wallace continued: “I’ve always said, I’d love to see Roy Keane back in football [management] again. At Sunderland, he had fantastic success, and he would have really learned a lot from those jobs [Sunderland and Ipswich manager] and working under Martin O’Neill [as assistant manager for Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest]. The media work would’ve helped him too. I wouldn’t say he’s mellowed, but maybe furthered his understanding of football a little bit. Helping him work with different players, and still putting the demand on them. You just have to be careful of that demand [as a football manager]. We weren’t all Roy Keane – Roy Keane was an unbelievable player. I really loved working under Roy, because when I was playing at Celtic, you needed to win every day, and training every day was intense. You need to win football matches. So I already had that background. Maybe some of the players that he signed didn’t really like that intensity – training was intense every single day. He was brilliant. I’d like to see him back in [football management]. He made mistakes, Roy is quite open to admit that. But he’s done some good things as well.”
Wallace’s insights highlight the potential for Sunderland to achieve a remarkable season and the possibility of Roy Keane’s return to management, reflecting on the intense and demanding nature of Keane’s coaching style.
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