Keane Gets Sunderland Apology and Vows to Return

Roy Keane last night received and accepted an unconditional apology from Ellis Short, Sunderland's largest single shareholder. The club's former manager had been dismayed by comments made by Short's associate Per-Magnus Andersson, the president of Kitano Capital, the US asset management company.

Andersson, whose less than flattering views regarding Keane's managerial style were reported in the Guardian and, subsequently, elsewhere, spoke initially to a Swedish website but it is clear he talked out of turn. Short, an Irish American financier who bought his stake in Sunderland in September, was certainly quick to disassociate both himself and the club from one of his key advisers. In addition to his personal apology to Keane he issued a statement: "I have nothing but admiration for Roy Keane and am grateful for all he has done for the club and I wish him well for the future."

Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the League Managers' Association, played a key role in brokering the apology and last night said: "This attack was completely inaccurate and inappropriate. I'm delighted that Ellis Short chose to apologize."

Moreover Bevan, who has a strong working relationship with Keane's solicitor and adviser, Michael Kennedy, insisted that, contrary to widespread suggestions, the 37-year-old Irishman's managerial career is not over.

"Following this spell at Sunderland Roy is very much on the road to learning his trade as a top-level manager," he said. "I know that Roy is looking forward to his next managerial challenge. As a player Roy Keane excelled in many pressurized situations and during his 27 months at Sunderland, in his first managerial role, he made a huge impact."

Keane has always delighted in wrong-footing opponents and last night he confounded those critics who assumed he was finished with football.

In a statement made to the LMA's website Keane said: "I am grateful to the club, players and fans at Sunderland and, most especially, the staff for their support during my first management appointment. I have experienced and learnt a tremendous amount in the last 27 months and enjoyed the rigors of being a manager. I look forward to building on those experiences and, some time in the future, returning to football management."