Why Roy Keane turned down Sunderland job after advanced talks

Roy Keane turned down an offer to return to management with Sunderland because he was unhappy with the length of the contract offered to him.

The Irishman was expected to make a sensational return to the Black Cats earlier this month after holding advanced talks with his former club.

Keane inspired Sunderland to promotion in 2008 and kept them in the Premier League on their return.

The Manchester United legend last managed in 2011 when he spent two years at Ipswich and having spoken about his desire to return to management, he was expected to accept a deal to return to the north-east.

But the Sun say Keane was unhappy with the length of the deal being offered to him, with Sunderland only willing to offer him a contract until the end of the season.

Keane felt the offer was unsatisfactory as he wouldn’t be able to plan for next season and it would have meant he’d have to end his lucrative punditry roles with Sky Sports and ITV.

‘The deal has to be right for everyone.  It didn’t fall into place last week. It wasn’t meant to be,’ Keane told the Overlap earlier this week.

‘Everything has to be right – the right challenge, the right contract. You have to fancy it.

‘I’ve not had the opportunity the last few years. There has not been a club where I think, ‘I’m the right fit for that club’.

‘If I don’t get another chance, it’s no big deal.

‘You need a bit of luck. The right club has to give you the call. That hasn’t happened. It’s no big deal.’

MORE: ‘Silly of them to think’ – Man Utd legend Roy Keane’s verdict on Leeds players and fans

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