Roy Keane’s Potential Managerial Role at Sunderland Aimed at Enhancing Netflix’s Viewer Base
Former Manchester United legend Roy Keane was reportedly overlooked for a managerial role at Sunderland in 2022, with the club’s co-owner Juan Sartori suggesting that Keane’s appointment would have been a strategic move to attract new viewers for Netflix. Keane had previously managed Sunderland from 2006 to 2008, leading them to win the Championship in 2007. However, when he interviewed for the job following Lee Johnson’s sacking, the club decided to bring in Alex Neil instead, who eventually secured their promotion from League One.
Sunderland has gained significant attention due to its association with the popular Netflix docuseries ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’. The third season of the show, set to air next week, will focus on the team’s promotion-winning campaign in 2021/22. Sartori, who owns a 36 per cent stake in the club alongside Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, explained that Keane’s appointment would have made for an entertaining addition to the series. However, he also jokingly hinted at the possibility of another disastrous season under Keane’s management.
Keane, who hasn’t managed a team since his dismissal from Ipswich in 2011, expressed his interest in returning to the dugout. However, he emphasized that the right opportunity and contract needed to align with his expectations. Keane has held coaching positions with the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest since his departure from Ipswich. During a recent podcast discussion with Frank Lampard on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Keane reiterated that he would not rush his decision to return to management and would carefully consider every aspect before committing to a new club.
While it remains uncertain whether Keane will make a comeback as a manager anytime soon, his potential appointment at Sunderland had caught the attention of both football fans and Netflix viewers. With the upcoming season of ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’ set to chronicle the team’s promotion, Keane’s involvement could have added an extra layer of intrigue to the show. However, for now, fans will have to settle for watching the on-screen drama unfold without the presence of the fiery Irishman in the dugout.
In conclusion, Roy Keane’s potential managerial role at Sunderland in 2022 was seen by co-owner Juan Sartori as a move to attract more viewers for the popular Netflix docuseries ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’. Despite his previous success with the club, Keane was ultimately overlooked in favor of Alex Neil. Keane himself has expressed his desire to return to management but emphasized the importance of finding the right opportunity and contract. While his involvement could have added excitement to the upcoming season of ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’, fans will have to wait and see if Keane makes a comeback to the dugout in the future.