Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane claims that it was “no big deal” to miss out on the Sunderland manager’s job.
Sunderland had held formal talks with Keane after sacking Lee Johnson at the end of last month and it is understood the former Manchester United captain was the leading candidate.
Keane spent nearly two-and-a-half years in charge of the Black Cats before resigning in December 2008.
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Former Hull manager Grant McCann and ex-Norwich and Preston boss Alex Neil emerged as main contenders to replace Johnson, before Neil was eventually appointed.
Keane, 50, is believed to have had strong boardroom support and recently hinted at his interest in returning to Wearside during his work as a football pundit.
But talks with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman eventually broke down.
And the Man Utd legend has now revealed that it “wasn’t meant to be” as the deal “didn’t fall into place”.
Keane said on The Overlap Live in Manchester: “I’ve said it before. The deal has to be right for everyone.
“It didn’t fall into place last week. It wasn’t meant to be. Everything has to be right. The right challenge. The right contract. You have to fancy it.
“I’ve not had that opportunity the last few years. There has not been a club where I think, ‘I’m the right fit for that club’.”
Brilliant night at the O2 Apollo in Manchester for The Overlap Live. Not many Carra fans though@GNev2 @Carra23 pic.twitter.com/4X2q4UKMcj
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Keane hasn’t been linked with many jobs over the past few years but he insists it’s “no big deal” if he doesn’t manage again.
“If I don’t get another chance, it’s no big deal,” Keane added.
“You need a bit of luck. The right club has to give you the call. That hasn’t happened. It’s no big deal.”
Former Republic of Ireland assistant Keane, who has been out of management since being sacked by Ipswich in 2011, guided Sunderland to promotion to the Premier League in 2007 in his first season in charge.
The following season, the Black Cats finished 15th in the top flight before Keane quit following strained relations with the club’s hierarchy.
Sunderland sacked Johnson following their humiliating 6-0 defeat at Bolton last month, just over a year after appointing him.
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