If Keane was this difficult to deal with he wouldn't have improved much if he'd come. The way he was laughing about the job, on TV, was disrespectful if he wasn't committed to signing.
I was gutted that Keane wasn’t coming, but I think that was nostalgia from his last period here and the way it was conducted was very amateurish to say the least. When we first sacked Johnson, out of all the managers linked, Neil looked to have the best pedigree to suit our current style of play but with a bit more tactical awareness and promotion on his CV. I am not disappointed in this appointment and I think if we do miss out on automatics then we have a manager who come May should of whipped these lads into shape and get us up via the play offs. he gets my 100% backing, welcome to Sunderland Alex Neil.
I agree mate. But we shouldn't have entertained it in the first place. I think the majority of us knew deep down, no matter how far down the line if seemingly got, it wasn't going to happen. So we've effectively wasted all that crucial time, including 6 points, since Johnson was sacked.
Some will blame Speakman for Keane not being appointed but there are two sides to every story. If Keane was as keen to get back into management, and as keen to manage Sunderland, as he said he was, he would be manager by now. I can't help but feel that he's led us down the garden path with this. A lot of the apparent amateurishness on the part of the club is because he's led them on a merry dance. This wouldn't have happened with another candidate because no one else would have created this much excitement in the fan base. They were unwise to get involved with it, but I can understand why the club would want to try and capitalise on that excitement.
I don't believe he's enhanced his employment prospects tbh. Clubs will look at his antics, during this process, and wonder how serious he is. He was virtually waving goodbye to his TV chums but hadn't actually agreed to join SAFC. Perhaps he actually doubts his ability and wants an easier gig.
This nothing but conjecture on my part in trying to make some sense of all of it,but......let's suppose. Something has not been right between the players and LJ for a while,and replacing him was now becoming a focus.A shortlist of Neil,McCann and one or two others had been drawn up and tentative enquiries started. The Bolton match finally triggers it all into action and LJ goes. The next day,Jones,a non-exec,who knows Keane introduces that Keane has expressed an interest. This immediately appeals to KLD,and most fans,but not to KS and SD. Initial contact is made and discussions begin,Neil etc.put on hold.Dodds,Procter etc. put in charge.Blanket silence from the club. Some progress is made...KLD is enthusiastic...starts liking a few posts...a deal with Keane seems possible. But,some stumbling blocks appear,KS and SD digging their heels in....everyone taking a bit of time to see if it can be worked out.In the meantime we lose to Doncaster,but maybe Keane can be resolved and brought in.....still in negotiation.Then we lose at Cheltenham....disaster approaching....KLD still determined to pursue Keane....KS and SD by now very sceptical and really starting to worry. Wednesday, KLD says I want this deal done,KS contacts Keane,who will not budge. Thursday,KLD accepts it's dead and releases KS to move with Neil,who was the preferred appointment on the Sunday after the Bolton match anyway. Go on then you lot......shoot holes in that!
I'm a relatively simple bloke so I look at it this way Has Johnson got a promotion on his CV and managed in the premier league? Has Alex Neill got a promotion on his CV and managed in the premier league? I think Neiil is a step up from LJ far more pragmatic and his personality is more in tune with our club. Do I think he is the manager to get us back to the premier league? Possibly. Do i think he will be replaced as we look to reestablish ourselves in the premier league. Probably Will lessons have been learned from the last 2 weeks? Definitely Now let's get back to the football, there's a match on tomorrow.
That all sounds perfectly plausible tbh. The media didn't help because they'd obviously prefer Keane, who'll give outrageous quotes, make headlines and sell papers. Yet now they're all saying Neil is a better appointment and the right man for the job..
You could well be right mate. I kept saying at the start of the Keane rumours that too many cooks spoil the broth. It's just my personal opinion but I don't like it when too many people are trying to come to one decision, in my experience it just doesn't work in any business. Like I said, just my opinion.
Very succinct. I was fine with Keane coming back but did worry that it had the potential to unravel at any given point over something and nothing even had he arrived. If Neil is appointed he will certainly have my backing and I'll look forward to welcoming him at the SOL a week tomorrow after we hopefully get his reign off to a flyer tomorrow.
I think he'll have been interested mind. But that said, it's not that it's not him that annoys people. A child could have guessed that a man in Keane's position wouldn't uproot and throw his job in for a short term role. So they should never have even considered him, or done so very quickly. It is the stench of amateurish chancers pulling the levers that bothers most I'd imagine. Good luck to Neil. The bloke was sitting there waiting, he should have been manager before the Doncaster game , and would have been at a competently ran club. People's gripes , mine certainly, are at Speakman who is not up to it, and God forbid, Methven being still involved somehow.
Methven's ego is so immense that, if he was actually involved, he'd be incapable of keeping quiet about it.
