Roy Keane vows to return to football management

Roy Keane has revealed he WILL return to management - and hit back at claims he cracked as Sunderland boss.

The Ireland legend broke his silence last night, four days after walking out on Sunderland...and says football has not seen the last of him as a boss.

Keane, 37, is said to be looking to secure his next managerial challenge, and has insisted he enjoyed the pressures of the job, rather than being beaten by them.

Sunderland have been a club in turmoil behind the scenes in recent days after Per-Magnus Andersson, a close friend and business associate of US major shareholder Ellis Short, publicly trashed Keane's legacy and questioned his mental state.

Keane secured a unreserved apology from Short yesterday and is considering legal action over a host of "inaccurate" claims over the weekend about his reign on Wearside.

The ex-Manchester United midfielder said: "I have experienced and learnt a tremendous amount in the last 27 months and enjoyed the rigours of being a manager.

"I look forward to building on those experiences and returning to football management."

Keane is likely to be a strong contender to be the next Celtic boss, should Gordon Strachan come to the end of his reign in the summer, or be poached by Sunderland.

He walked out after being put under pressure to sign a new contract by Short, who helped the club raise £50million with a summer share offer. Keane was effectively re-interviewed when Short took over and was livid.

After taking the club from the bottom of the Championship to the Premier League, his stock remains high.

Short last night launched a damage limitation exercise, saying: "I have nothing but admiration for Roy Keane."

Sunderland's search for Keane's successor will be stepped up later in the week.

Bookies favourite Sam Allardyce repeated his desire to take over yesterday, while ex-Liverpool chief Gerrard Houllier is a possibility, and Mexico boss Sven Goran Eriksson could fancy a return to management in England.

Peter Reid has also thrown his hat in the ring.

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