Roy Keane back in football management
Former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane is back in football – having been handed a two year contract to manage English Championship side Ipswich Town.
The former Manchester United man has previously managed Sunderland – taking charge from August 2006 to December 2008. Keane took over while the side were struggling near the foot of the Championship and guided them to promotion to the Premiership in his first season. He quit however under a cloud late last year as relations between Keane and the owners soured – while performances also dipped and Sunderland slipped towards the relegation zone.
Keane is due to be unveiled as Ipswich manager today and takes over after former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton was axed by the club yesterday after they failed to achieve a play-off place.
Speaking of his appointment Keane said, “I truly believe that I am joining a Club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side. The Club’s owner and Chief Executive impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”
There are already a few Irish connections at Ipswich. Alex Bruce (son of Keane’s former team-mate Steve), Owen Garvan, Alan Quinn and goalkeeper Shane Supple are all on the Tractor Boys books. Expect Keane to add a few more if his track record at Sunderland was anything to go by.
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