Manchester United legend Roy Keane has been tipped to snub one team, despite the Sky Sports pundit being heavily linked with a return to management.
That is according to former England player Carlton Palmer, who insisted that one club would not be the “right fit” for the ex-Manchester United captain.
Roy Keane has been out of the managerial dugout since his ill-fated spell with Ipswich Town came to an end in 2011, with the United legend sacked from his role.
Following his run at Ipswich Town, Keane went on to serve as assistant manager at the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest before leaving coaching.
Since his coaching and managing career, the 52-year-old Irishman has become a leading figure in punditry and has appeared in the studio for Sky Sports and ITV.
However, Keane has flirted with the idea of returning to management and previously admitted that one role in particular could tempt him to come back to the dugout.
The Irish hardman, who had a prolific career at Old Trafford as United captain, took his first steps into coaching after his playing career came to an end in 2006.
Following his brief spell at Scottish side Celtic, Keane’s first steps into management came in 2006 after he was appointed the manager of Sunderland.
Palmer talks Man Utd legend Keane
Roy Keane found success during his spell as Sunderland manager, with the Manchester United legend leading the Black Cats to the Championship title.
The Sky Sports pundit’s spell at the Stadium of Light came to an end in 2008 after Keane resigned as Sunderland manager following his 27 months in charge.
Keane had been linked with a sensational return to Sunderland, but the club’s co-owners broke their silence over the speculation around the former United star.
Michael Beale was sacked as Sunderland manager in February after only 12 matches in charge of the Championship side, with Mike Dodds appointed as interim boss.
The former Sunderland manager had only arrived at the Stadium of Light in December 2023 after he succeeded the popular Tony Mowbray at the club.
Speaking to Football League World, Carlton Palmer admitted that he was unsure if Keane would return to Sunderland if the opportunity presented itself.
“Roy Keane remains in the mix to be appointed the next Sunderland manager,” he said.
“I am not so sure Roy would want to go back to Sunderland. I think he’s said on TV numerous times that day-to-day management, that the Republic of Ireland job probably suited him better than that.
“I think he is enjoying the TV work; he has been exceptional on TV. We have seen another side of Roy Keane on TV, that he has come across quite good.”
Palmer on Sunderland hierarchy and Keane
Palmer suggested that the current Sunderland hierarchy and the management style of the football club would not suit someone like Keane.
Despite flirting with the idea of management again, Keane has flip-flopped on his stance and admitted that being in the dugout might not be “worth the hassle.”
“I think with the hierarchy at Sunderland and the way they manage the football club, the way they want to run the football club, I don’t think that would work for Roy Keane,” Palmer continued.
“So, I can’t see Roy taking over at Sunderland, but I think, by the sounds of it, he has still got the itch for management, but it would have to be the right fit and the right situation and I don’t think that Sunderland is the right fit for Roy Keane, the way he would want to manage would mean that he would be in control of who was coming in and who was going out.”
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