roy keane has been appointed as sunderland's new manager.
Former Manchester United and Ireland captain Roy Keane was officially announced as manager of ailing second division club Sunderland on Monday.
The 35-year-old signed a three-year contract after watching Sunderland's 2-0 home win against West Bromwich Albion which gave them their first points in five games this season.
"This represents a major coup for our football club," chairman Niall Quinn, Keane's former international team mate, told the Sunderland Web site.
"The fact that one of the most influential figures in the world of football is willing to come and help unlock the massive potential here should make all Sunderland fans very happy and excited for the future.
"Roy Keane's standards of professionalism are legendary and his desire and determination to succeed are precisely what this club requires," added Quinn.
It is former midfielder Keane's first managerial position after ending his 18-year playing career, which also included spells at Nottingham Forest and Celtic, in June.
Quinn had been working in the dual role of manager and chairman after a consortium he led bought a controlling interest in the club last month.
INDOMITABLE WILL
Renowned for his indomitable will to win and rugged tackling, Keane played a pivotal part in Manchester United's success after joining from Nottingham Forest in 1993 for a then
British transfer record of 3.75 million pounds ($7.11 million).
He won seven league titles and four FA Cups with United, and was team captain until his departure last year following a disagreement with manager Alex Ferguson.
Keane moved to Celtic last December and helped them to the Scottish title before being advised to quit by doctors because of a persistent hip problem.
Cork-born Keane won 66 caps for Ireland and played in the 1994 World Cup. He retired from international soccer last October after Ireland failed to reach this year's World Cup in Germany.
Keane famously missed the 2002 World Cup after walking out shortly before the finals following a row with then manager Mick McCarthy.
Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League last season and moved off the bottom of the second division thanks to Monday's win. They are 23rd in the 24-team league.
They were knocked out of the League Cup by fourth division Bury last Tuesday.
roy keane to sunderland
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