I've not even lost my temper ... yet, warns Keane

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Roy Keane has defended his management style, saying he is not in the game to make friends.

Clarke may face a hefty club fine, but Keane says he could take the comments seriously only if they had come from a player who played regularly for him. Clarke has started one game under Keane.

Keane said: 'If people believe I'm doing that every week, they're sadly mistaken. My management has not changed since I got the job. People said it was working a treat last year.

'The strange thing is that the article mentioned me losing my temper. But I have never really lost it. If people are worried now — bejasus . . .

'Being popular is not important for a manager. I played under Brian Clough, who was brilliant to me, but I wouldn't upset him or think I was pals with him.

'People ask me about Sir Alex Ferguson. I played under him for 12 and a half2 years, but I had three or four one-on-one conversations with him. You have to keep your distance.'

Clarke's outspoken attack is the first suggestion of internal unrest, although Keane was the first to say players out of favour are likely to feel aggrieved.

Sunderland's board, who spent almost £40million last summer, may also be questioning Keane's judgment with the club in the relegation zone before the visit of Portsmouth tomorrow.