Woody
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 Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:53 pm Post subject: I had hoped |
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That football had seen the last of this guy. 
Former Republic of Ireland boss Brain Kerr has admitted his surprise at Niall Quinn's proposed appointment of Roy Keane as Sunderland manager.
Quinn is hoping to tie up a deal with the 35-year-old former Manchester United captain within days, although it is understood there is still much to be settled before an announcement can be made.
Quinn and Keane found themselves on opposite sides after the midfielder's infamous World Cup finals bust-up with then Republic manager Mick McCarthy - the man he will succeed at the Stadium of Light - in Saipan in 2002.
Keane was less than complimentary about his international team-mate in his autobiography, and Kerr admitted: "I was somewhat surprised by the news, but at the same time, Sunderland have obviously been working in the background.
"Pre-season, Niall Quinn wasn't able to find the man he was supposed to have wanted.
"He had to do something. The results have been disastrous and the fact that Roy was interested in going into management, he was there as a candidate.
"But given the previous history between them, it has to be a surprise.
"That's a long time ago now. It's four years down the road and circumstances have changed very much for both people - Roy has finished playing, he wants a job in management, I presume.
"Niall needs someone to come in and manage the club if he's going to be chairman, so obviously a change of attitudes and they are doing what needs to be done."
It is understood members of Quinn's Drumaville consortium have favoured Keane for some time, although Sunderland played down the speculation during the summer.
Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce were the men to whom they turned but, after failing to appoint either, Quinn took over at the helm.
However, after five successive defeats, culminating in Tuesday night's Carling Cup humiliation at lowly Bury, he revealed the appointment of a "world-class" manager was close.
Keane was a world-class player, but is untried as a manager, and Kerr believes he may have to adapt his renowned no-nonsense approach.
He said: "He's obviously going to have to change in many ways - and I think he has changed.
"He's going to be in a league with a different standard of players than the type of players he played with in the past, and he's going to have to adapt to that.
"And he's going to have to be patient with them and be able to motivate them, and also be sympathetic to them at times."
That said, Kerr is confident Quinn will have pulled off a major coup if he gets his man.
He told RTE: "It has to be seen as a coup for Niall Quinn.
"Many other clubs would have liked to get Roy, I think, as a manager, would have been prepared to take that chance with him in his first managerial role, but I think Niall deserves the credit for pulling this one off."
Sunderland refused to add to their initial confirmation that they are in talks with "a high-profile figure" today, although Keane has returned to Ireland, where Quinn has spent the last couple of days, from a holiday.
His imminent arrival has sent a buzz around the world of football, and fellow 35-year-old and new boss Gareth Southgate, whose Middlesbrough side defeated Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea last night, predicted big things for him.
Southgate said: "I am sure he will be as successful as he has been as a player. He's incredibly driven and an intelligent guy.
"He has got a very clear idea of what he wants to do and I am sure he will be an excellent leader for their club."
However, the bookmakers are less convinced with Ladbrokes quoting Keane at 5/2 to leave the club before Christmas.
League Managers' Association chief executive John Barnwell is wary of "personality" appointments but hopes Keane can succeed in his first managerial job.
He said on Sky Sports News: "Historically the failure rate is very high, you only have to look at players such as John Barnes and Chris Waddle.
"We hope this isn't the case with Roy. He is getting his coaching badges and hopefully walk through the minefield of football management without getting blown up."
Keane does have the backing of former Manchester United team-mate Roy Carroll.
Despite being untested, Carroll believes Keane has all the qualities to succeed at the Stadium of Light.
"He brings desire and passion. He is a top man. When he was a player he gave 100% and I think he will do that as a manager. It would be nice to see Sunderland winning under Roy," said Carroll, now the West Ham goalkeeper.
"It is nice to see him back in football. He is a great man and hopefully he will do well."
I don't wish him well.
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