I relished the opportunity to link up with Keano – Yorke
MUTV. “I knew he had the job at Sunderland and straight away I said: ‘Skip, what are you doing calling me?’ He said: ‘How’s America? I want you to come and play at Sunderland.’ America! He thought I was in America! But he convinced me to come back and sign for Sunderland, and to get them their promotion into the PremierLeague.Irelishedthatopportunity.Ijumpedonthefirst plane back.”
After leaving Sunderland in 2008, Keane took charge at Ipswich Town – but has not managed a club in almost a decade. He was most recently assistant manager at Nottingham Forest, but left his post in June 2019.
Yorke, though, believes he has all the ingredients to be a topmanagerhavingflourished under his leadership.
But he feels the former midfielder is often his worst enemy – which could prove a stumbling block when trying to land a managerial role.
“From a manager’s point of view,IhavetosayaboutKeano, I think he has all the ingredients,” said Yorke.
“When he took the job he had the respect of all the players. He had the character to be a manager, and the respect. He has everything you want in a manager. Then in his first yearhewasverysuccessfuland got us promoted.
“For me, when I look back, I think that Keano should be in a big managerial position today, i.e. someone like ManchesterUnited.IthinkKeanois hisownworstenemy.Afterthe yearsI’vespentwithhim,some of the things he has done, I’m sure he will regret. Keano will livebytheswordanddiebythe sword, but I’m sure there are thingsthathereflectshecould have done better as manager.
“I think when you’re a manager you have to get people on yoursideandonthesamepage, even if they’re not on the same levelthatyouthought,because you have to manage those people. I think that’s where Keano has kind of let himself down.”
*Former Newcastle midfielderJoeyBartonhasbacked Sunderland’s stance on finishing the League One season.
The Black Cats were one of sixLeagueOnesidestopublicly support plans to continue the 2019/20 campaign, with a crucial meeting of clubs held this morning to discuss the next steps.
And Barton, now Fleetwood Town manager, has also thrown his weight behind plans to complete the season –withhissidestillfirmlyinthe promotion picture.
“I couldn’t agree more,” he tweeted, in response to the plans. “As soon as it’s safe, we should complete the campaign. Surely nobody wants to begivenapromotion?Youhave to go and win it. Or it is meaningless.
“Fans are a massive part of the journey as well. We need to get them into stadiums ASAP but only when it’s safe.”