Roy Keane: Sunderland set to interview former manager over return

Roy Keane is set to be interviewed by Sunderland for the vacant manager's position at the Stadium of Light.

The League One club are extremely interested in Keane returning to club after sacking Lee Johnson on Saturday following a 6-0 loss at Bolton, but contrary to reports, the 50-year-old has not been offered the job yet.

Keane was in charge at Sunderland, the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder's first managerial role, from 2006 to 2008.

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• Sunderland sack manager Lee Johnson
• Bolton 6-0 Sunderland - Match report and highlights

He guided the club to promotion as Championship title-winners in his first season in the job, and then a 15th-placed Premier League finish in the following campaign before resigning in December 2008.

Keane has been out of management since being sacked by Ipswich Town in 2011 but has subsequently had stints on the coaching staff of the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, and worked as a television pundit.

Sky Sports News understands Keane is considering another crack at management following 10 years out of the dugout.

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, former Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock, and recently-sacked Hull City manager Grant McCann are also on Sunderland's shortlist.

Keane has 'good memories' from Sunderland

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In an interview back in 2014, Keane spoke fondly of his spell in charge of Sunderland and signalled his intention of returning to management some day.

"I've got good memories from Sunderland, a really good club," Keane told Sky Sports. "It's a pity that ended the way it did in terms of me having a big disagreement with the owner, but I had good days at Sunderland, a really good club.

Keane added: "I will be [a manager again], I will go back into management, definitely."

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Sunderland, in their fourth successive season in Sky Bet League One, are currently third in the table.

They are two points behind second-placed Wigan having played three more matches, and five behind leaders Rotherham, who have one game in hand over them.

Following Johnson's dismissal, Mike Dodds has been leading preparations for the next match, Saturday's home clash with Doncaster.

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