Roy Keane reveals long contract dispute with Sunderland after quitting in 2008

The Corkman had an instant impact at Sunderland after he was appointed as manager in 2006 – by his former Republic of Ireland teammate and then Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn – as he led the club to promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the helm.

He resigned the following December after a challenging start in the Premier League, but that was not the end of the story.

Keane has revealed the contract that had been agreed with Quinn was disputed by the club’s owner, Ellis Short.

"You think getting sacked is just the start of it,” said Keane on the Stick to Football podcast. “People are trying to get their few bob (compensation). Sunderland with me went on for about four-and-a-half years. Owners, Ellis Short… yeah about four-and-a-half years.

"Niall had done the deal with my solicitor. There was a few bob here and there. Then he (Sunderland owner) was saying Niall didn’t have the jurisdiction to do it, even though Niall was the chairman. So that was the problem.”

Keane went on to suggest the financial compensation agreement was not clearly defined in the contract, as he said “that’s why it got a bit messy”.

Keane’s last role as a coach came alongside Martin O’Neill at Nottingham Forest in 2019, so he is well placed to comment on the explosive events at the City Ground club following the arrival of Sean Dyche as the club’s third manager of this season.

Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou have both been sacked by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis in recent weeks, with Keane refusing to hold back as he criticised the controversial Greek businessman.

"Why do you think this Forest owner is going to do it differently than he has done with other managers?” Keane asked. “He did it with Martin O’Neill, he’s done it with other managers.

"Why do you think he’s going to do it properly? Power and control. That’s how they work. Listen, you have to sack managers, but do it with a bit of class.

"This is the owner when Forest are having a brilliant season last year is walking on the pitch complaining about stuff, making statements about referees.”

Keane revealed he had one meeting with Marinakis during his brief spell as a coach at Forest and he admitted he made a mistake to take on the role.

"I went in there to work with Martin, but I shouldn’t have," he added.

“With Martin O’Neill’s CV, when you think about it and what he’d done at the club previously. How many games do you think Martin got at the club? 19 games. What chance have you got.

"I think they announced the next manager 24 minutes later when Martin was still in the building. You are on about treating people properly.”

Click here to read article