Roy Keane makes management admission after recent Sunderland talks

Roy Keane has admitted he feels like his days in management ‘are over’ after turning down the chance to return to Sunderland in February. Keane was the front runner to replace Lee Johnson at the Black Cats but opted against taking the job after extensive talks with the club.

The 50-year-old’s last job as the main man in the dugout came over 11 years ago now at Ipswich Town, although he has spent time as the assistant manager with Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. Keane has instead taken up a career in punditry, regularly appearing on Sky Sports for their Premier League coverage.

Despite seriously considering the opportunity to make his return earlier this year, Keane has now confirmed that he feels those days are now well and truly behind him.

Speaking to SPORTBible, he said: "I did up until recently, but I almost feel recently, them days are over for me now, going back into management. I really feel like that. I'm 50 now, I'm doing the TV. Obviously, I'm labelled as more of a pundit now.

“But no, no I feel I'm getting my head round it. It's maybe more of a head job that maybe that is the role for me and over the next few years, I think I can't see a club really giving me a real good opportunity to get back into it.

"But I don't mind that either. I'm not fearful of going, 'Well, you might do the TV for the next two or three years.' I'm fine with that, because I do count my blessings, because I know, as you know, there's a lot of ex-players looking to get back into it. Yeah, I'm okay with that."