Kerr surprised by Keane-Sunderland link
Former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr admitted his surprise today at the news that Roy Keane may become the next Sunderland manager.
Kerr said the history between Keane and chairman Niall Quinn – they fell out following Keane’s walk-out from the Irish squad in Saipan during the 2002 World Cup and Keane was critical of Quinn in his book – made it a surprise.
“I was somewhat surprised by the news but at the same time, Sunderland have obviously been working in the background,” he said.
“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.”
Kerr, who brought Keane back from the international wilderness to play seven more games for the Republic before his retirement, said things had changed over the years.
“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,” he said.
“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’re doing what needs to be done.”
Kerr said Keane would have to adapt to his new role at a club at the opposite end of the table to that he was used to during a glittering career.
“He’s obviously going to have to change in many ways and I think he has changed.”
He added: “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.”
Kerr also praised Quinn for pulling off what could prove to be an audacious coup.
“It has to be seen as a coup for Niall Quinn,” he told RTE Radio.
“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.”
