How about that prawn sandwich Roy?

Nearly a week on from Roy Keane walking out on Sunderland and what do we find? Statements have been made, but there are still no conclusions. There would seem to be a bit of a communication break-down. Neither party has come out of this scenario smelling of roses - PR disaster! Where does this leave Sunderland, where does this leave Roy Keane? These questions should have been answered by now. Get off the football bus a couple of stops too early Roy?

A football club must retain complete confidence of its fans. Although the leaving of Keane was dealt with in a low-key and effective manner, questions marks remain over the reason to Keane's leaving and the future direction of the club. If a man they invested so much confidence in, and with it large amounts of money, decided that Sunderland was not going places it doesn't say too much for the leadership of the club.

Keane didn't really think this through. Walking out of Sunderland in the manner, and for the reasons he did could have a dramatic effect on the future of his managerial career. There have been question marks over his ability as a manager. I don't believe though that his credentials are in doubt. However, walking out of a club half way through a season, after a slight dip in form, because he felt he couldn't take Sunderland any further, smacks of a lack of commitment and a lack of ambition. Sam Allardyce left Bolton because he too felt he could't take them any further. But noone could deny 'Big Sam' his chance at one of England's biggest clubs, Newcastle. And although it didn't work out for him there (I could blog on the joke that is Newcastle for hours!) he was completely justified in his decision. Isn't it funny that Sam Allardyce is favourite to succeed Keane at Sunderland!

Sunderland IS a bigger club than Bolton. Keane had been there for not even 2 years, and would have had the time given, and financial backing of the board and chairman. There is no reason that, given the size and ambition of the club, Keane and Sunderland should not have reached European competition within the next few years. Keane's name had brought in the sort of quality and flair that the club in its modern years had not seen before. The old adage that great players make great managers could be said to be true in Keane's case. And he did learn from the best, in Clough and Ferguson. Up to the point that he left he dragged Sunderland out of the depths and gave them a new lease of life.

So why did Keane really leave Sunderland? Like in previous instances, such as the 2002 World Cup, we have expected there to be another story to this episode. A spat between Keane and Niall Quinn (the chairman) for instance. However none has materialised, yet!

In crisis management Mike Regester advocates telling it all, truthfully, and fast. Perhaps in this case, to maintain reputation, Keane could well have done with doing otherwise. He is telling the world that he can't hack it as a manager. Listening to the legendary podcast 'Fighting Talk', Keane supposedly didn't even attend training sessions.

Where now for Keane? Some suggest he work his way up the management ladder, like Clough who started at Hartlepool. British managers should be given a chance, and he will surley get his again, but who will put faith in him now. He was being groomed for the Man Utd job, perhaps a seat in the upper terraces would be more likely. Prawn sandwich anyone?