Now don't take this the wrong way but what I would like to know is... Did Keane approach Jones Or Did Jones approach Keane In many ways it makes little difference but if Keane made the approach then it supports the argument of unfinished business and displays a level of commitment from Keane that could bode well. Why oh why am I as a 60 odd year old bloke even contemplating such a question... ITHICS
I think the vast majority and the ownership group feel it is imperative to be promoted. Frankly another season in this league fills me with dread. I applaud the decisive action taken.
I think you have to look at the signings to realise promotion is a must the 2 Germans and I've also heard Broadhead will be permanent if we go up, both batth and Pritchard took huge pay cuts to drop down a league and had championship interest and will in the summer along with Cirkin and Huggins who I believe all came after being convinced we would go up. Stewart and possibly Neil will want championship moves. Some people thought sacking Johnson was harsh, it certainly wasn't we may be third in the league but the quality of players KLD and the recruitment team have brought in with any decent coach should have ran away with this league. If we don't get promoted we will loose half our squad and their time will have been wasted. They obviously think Keane is the man to turn it around and I think it shows how serious they are about it. Can't wait till Saturday I'm ****ing buzzing
A certain poster will be along soon to tell you how the prospect of losing half the squad due to signing players better than the usual league 1 journeymen isn't a could recruitment policy and turn it into a negative. But I'm with you we have signed some if these players who will go if we don't get promoted this season and we will have to start again. For me Stewart will be the biggest loss, I think he is class.
Agreed and we can’t afford to lose against Rotherham or Wigan. The task to get automatic promotion from here is huge.
My guess would be that Keane may have indicated an interest to Jones a while ago.....something along the lines of if it goes tits up with Johnson,give me a shout. The speed with which this is being done suggests both parties were ready and willing to move quickly.
That was the way my thought processes were going but I thought I was been a little too confident which as any Sunderland supporter knows normally has painful consequences
Does anyone have any knowledge of who Keane would bring in with him as his assistant? My reservation about Keane is tactically is he astute to be able to change things when it's not working or when we're away from home not being so open like LJ had us. Can't remember the lad who was his assistant last time.
From The Telegraph: “Telegraph Sport understands Sunderland have asked Keane to consider a short term deal until the end of the season with the option to extend that contract if he is happy on his return to Wearside and has managed to guide the club to promotion. Sources on Wearside have said the talks went well and Keane is receptive to the idea of coming back to the Stadium of Light but has asked for time to assess his options. As things stand nothing has been agreed and Keane must decide whether to give up his lucrative contracts with Sky Sports and ITV, where he has enjoyed huge success as a pundit, and devote himself completely to management again. Keane first heard about Sunderland’s interest on Monday and things have progressed quickly since then with talks taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
Of course we'll lose some of those players if we don't get promoted. But if the model doesn't contain some kind of contingency planning for not being promoted I'd be surprised- nothing is a given in sport. If it really is critical that we go up this season then that's further indication that the model isn't what I thought it was. I understand the concept that someone with Keane's standing within the game and at the club might provide some kind of impetus but the idea that a 'name' trumps a coach is troubling.
I think they see it as a free hit. Let's face it , someone like Keane is likely to get a quicker reaction that a younger coach. If Keane doesn't work out, a coach will be brought in that fits your description and have all summer to instill what they want.
That's him, could see his face but couldn't remember his name. Would love a well known and respected coach to come in along side of Keane to do the tactical part of our game. Keane gives us that boost and even if it's 6 months or 18 months with the DF in place it doesn't mean a change to our long term plan. I'm happy with that
Not sure this is the first sign of difficulty mind. This is the third bad run already under the previous manager. You could say, some do, that he has been too patient.
