Grant Leadbitter says football ‘needs’ former Sunderland manager Roy Keane back in the game

Ex-Sunderland player Grant Leadbitter says football ‘needs’ Roy Keane to return to management.

Keane had been in the running to return as manager at , but the club announced this week that Alex Neil has been appointed instead.

, who retired last year after more than 200 appearances for Sunderland, played for Keane at the Black Cats and at Ipswich Town.

Appearing on Soccer AM on Sky Sports this morning, Leadbitter was asked what it was like to play for the former Manchester United star: “I loved it. Apart from my mum and dad, he was one of the biggest influences on my career, I certainly would say that.

“The way you’ve got to go about your business every day, trying to improve each day, the standards. I can remember one time when he first got the job, and I went into his office to ask what can I improve on and stuff like that.

“I remember him saying, ‘Look, I was 33, 34, still playing, and you can always improve,’ and for him to say that, I was thinking, ‘Bloody hell, I’m only 18 years old, 19 years old, you can always want to improve.’ That’s always stuck with me.”

Asked whether he had heard from Keane recently, Leadbitter said: “I was blown away to be honest, I was on holiday out in Portugal and he picked up the phone and congratulated me on my retirement.

“That’s the kind of man he is. I think he’s a real good, honest fella. I think the game misses him . I do think the game needs him back in it.”

Leadbitter is currently doing his coaching qualifications.