Keane: I Had to Give It a Go

New Sunderland manager Roy Keane has admitted he had intended to wait longer before stepping into the world of football management. The former Manchester United captain was officially unveiled by chairman Niall Quinn today and revealed that the opportunity at the Stadium of Light was too good to pass up.

"Three months ago I spoke with the owners and Niall but my priority at that time was to start working on getting my coaching badge in July and August," said Keane. "In that time they didn't get a manager. They came back in last Monday when I was in Portugal and initially I thought I was going to wait longer. But I thought 'what am I waiting for, the challenge is there'. Sunderland is a big club, with a beautiful stadium, a big fan base and I thought 'why not?'

"When I retired I thought I'd have one or two years out of the game but after going on my 'A' badge course and being on the training pitch with people I thought 'I think this is for me'. Fortunately the opportunity came back up with Sunderland. I thought I had to give it a go. If it doesn't work out at least I can say I did that."

Keane and Quinn insist their working relationship will be fine, despite the pair falling out in the dispute which led to Keane walking out on the Republic of Ireland's 2002 World Cup campaign. "I think it will be fine. A lot of people are making a big issue of the past but we sorted it out a few months ago," he said. "I think it's important to move on. I apologise if I've done something wrong but I really don't see a problem. That's the kind of character I am.

"I've played under some great managers, some good managers, and I hope I can take the best of all of them, although it's new to me and it's going to be a learning curve. People will go on about inexperience but one or two experienced managers have had this job before and it's not quite worked out. Over the years I've crossed that white line - it cost me a place at the World Cup in 2002 and maybe my Manchester United career. But I care about the game and who I'm playing for and with.

"All I expected from my team-mates was 100%. I never criticised people for having bad games, I criticised people for slacking off and not being focused on the job. If the staff or players take their eye off the ball and are not prepared to give 100% there will be a problem. It's very, very straightforward."

Keane believes the time he spent under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United can prove beneficial to him - despite admitting for the first time he had fallen out with the Scot. "I enjoy the way he looked after players. I was rightly punished but I'm sure I can pick the phone up any time - and I'm sure he can lend me some players if I need any. Over the coming days, weeks and years I'll look to get the balance right and sometimes that comes with experience. But I'm glad I've got this opportunity - I wouldn't be sitting here if I thought I couldn't do it."

He has been trying to bring former Manchester United assistant Brian Kidd to the Stadium of Light but that move now appears unlikely in the near future. "I spoke with Brian last week," said Keane. "He's got a lot of family commitments at the moment and we've moved on, but I've left the door open for him," he added. "I've brought Tony [Loughlan, head coach] with me; there are already good coaches at the club so I'm not looking to make too many changes too quickly. The players and staff deserve their chance."