Next Sunderland manager: What Roy Keane and Will Still said about links to Black Cats
Next Sunderland manager: What Roy Keane and Will Still have previously said about links to Black Cats
Sunderland and Michael Beale parted ways on Monday following consecutive Championship defeats.
Sunderland decided to break ways with Michael Beale on Monday, and they are now searching for a new manager for the second time in three months.
Just 12 games were played during Beale’s tenure at the Stadium of Light, and only four of those games ended in victories. The last straw was two straight losses to Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town, who were both oddly led by Tony Mowbray, his predecessor.
Mike Dodds will take interim command for Saturday’s visit from Swansea City and is anticipated to stay in the dugout until the summer. Dodds took temporary leadership for three games, including victories against West Brom and Leeds United. After that, the club will choose someone for a longer period of time, and many names are being discussed already, with some having expressed their opinions.
Keane, who led the Black Cats to promotion from the Championship in 2007 and kept them in the Premier League for the 2007–2008 season, will undoubtedly be connected to the position. The Stadium of Light crowd adored the tough-minded former midfield player, and they still do.
In February 2022, Keane was associated with the open position because to rumors that he and Sunderland were in negotiations. The former midfield player, who is still a pundit now, was asked a question during the FA Cup match broadcast.
“I’ve got no control over that, no comment,” Keane told ITV. “I’ve made [it] clear, I’d like to get back as a manager. But the club has to want you, you’ve got to want that job, the contract has to be right. We’ll see how things take shape over the next couple of days.”
Talks between Keane and Sunderland broke down but the 52-year-old is still open to returning to the dugout, recently telling the Stick To Football podcast: “I’d like to go back into management, but I’m not desperate to sign any contract for anybody.
“The off-field stuff, dealing with board members, that is tough. That can sap your energy. Unless you’re at a well-run club, there are those challenges off the pitch. If it was just about working with the team, it would be great.”
Will Still
Still has burst onto the scene as a promising young coach during his spell at Stade De Reims. The 31-year-old began life with the French side enjoying a 14-game unbeaten streak which included two draws against Paris Saint-Germain.
Back in December, a story in France had linked Still with the vacant Sunderland job, following Mowbray’s surprise exit. And that was picked up back in England, much to the coach’s frustration.
“The article was quickly adopted in England,” Still said. “Suddenly I was in all the tabloids. Everyone thought I had offered myself to Sunderland. [That] I wasn’t being honest, so to speak. And not to be trusted.
“But I would never offer myself to another club. I’m not wired like that. I have too much respect for the people I work with for that. It’s a shame the story was blown up so much.”
Those same reports suggested there was a clause in Still’s contract meaning clubs could lure him away from Stade De Reims for around £4.3m. “I didn’t even know that clause was in my contract until last week,” he insisted at the time.”I don’t know. I’m not interested in it either. But it does frustrate me. Because now it seems like I’ve become arrogant. Or started floating [in the clouds]. But that is absolutely not the case. I am still the same Will as I was at Lierse or Beerschot.”
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