Sunderland news: Danny Mills issues ‘incredible’ Roy Keane verdict after source update in last 24 hours
Roy Keane was “incredible” in his first spell as Sunderland manager and there is no reason he cannot repeat the trick if he returns to the Stadium of Light.
That is the view of ex-Leeds United and England defender Danny Mills, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Keane potentially succeeding Lee Johnson.
A Black Cats source told Football Insider yesterday (3 February) Grant McCann and the Irishman are the leading contenders for the job.
Early discussions had taken place and more formal talks were scheduled for later in the day.
“He did incredibly in his first spell at Sunderland, he was very successful,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He took them from near the bottom of the table to promotion and then kept them in the Premier League. Then in Roy Keane fashion, it exploded.
“Whatever he did in those couple of seasons, he did a good job.
“It didn’t quite work for him at Ipswich, then he was a number two at other clubs.
“We know how strong Roy’s opinions and a lot of people will say he won’t be able to deal with so-called lesser players. I don’t think that’s true.
“He’s an intelligent football person. He knows that those players are not on par with some that he played with.
“What he won’t accept is a lack of hard work, that’s where people maybe misinterpret Roy Keane at times.
“They think he can only deal with players who are of a high standard. No, he wants high standards of work and discipline, doing the right things.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that. If he gets less of what he demands then you’re out.
“The side he had at Sunderland when they were succesful clearly weren’t of the standard he was used to at Manchester United.”
In other news, Kevin Phillips has been left ‘surprised’ by a Sunderland signing after what he ‘can gather’.