Roy Keane resigns as Sunderland coach

Dec 4, 2008 - 3:26 PM SUNDERLAND, England (Ticker) -- Roy Keane has resigned as Sunderland's coach, the team confirmed Thursday.

Following talks with team management Thursday morning, Keane and Sunderland decided to go their separate ways.

"I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and in particular the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland," Keane said. "I would like to wish the club every success in the future."

"I would like to pay thanks to Roy Keane for all his hard work in progressing this club, lifting its status and growing its worldwide profile," said Quinn, Sunderland's chairman. "Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the club from the depths of the Championship back to the Premier League."

Keane's contract was set to expire at the end of the season with talks over a new deal reportedly ongoing.

First-team coach Ricky Sbragia will take over team affairs on an interim basis, assisted by reserve-team coach Neil Bailey and senior player Dwight Yorke.

"(Keane's) winning mentality and single-mindedness were just what this club needed when Drumaville took over shortly before his arrival," Quinn said. "Roy's decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club.

"Even in his departure, he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself. The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future."

Keane, who was appointed in August 2006, left with the Wearsiders in the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

The 37-year-old Keane, who had been given unprecedented financial backing by the club's board, coached Sunderland into the Premier League in his first season in charge. However, his debut year in the top flight resulted in a 15th-place finish.

Following the disappointing 2007 campaign, Keane embarked on another summer of heavy spending which resulted in the acquisitions of Djibril Cisse, Anton Ferdinand, El-Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque.

But the new additions have failed to gel, and the situation came to a head in Saturday's dismal 4-1 home thumping by Bolton.

Afterwards, Keane admitted he was starting to doubt his suitability for the post.

"I ask myself every single day if I am the right man for Sunderland," he said.