Sunderland boss Keane bags pro-licence as Boro's Southgate begins final part of UEFA qualification

Keane travelled to New Zealand during the close season to complete the final part of his course, observing the All Blacks before their Test match against Ireland. And now the former Manchester United captain has got the certificate which officially allows him to manage in the Premier League.

Taking it all in: Sunderland manager Roy Keane (left) talks with All Blacks coach Graham Henry

Youth team coach Kevin Ball, the former Sunderland captain and caretaker boss, also has the pro-licence and Keane has urged his players to take their first steps towards coaching.

Keane said: 'Instead of thinking that it's over now, I think this is where my learning really starts.

'Sometimes people think I've done my badges, it's done now and I'm qualified, but I think all my qualifications will come over the next 20 or 30 years of experience working with teams.

'Trust me, you've got to keep raising the bar and I'm quite comfortable with that. The coaches around me and the people I'm working with, it's testing them and making sure they're raising the bar.

'I've spoken to my players and said to them, 'when you get a chance in the summer, get your coaching qualifications.

'I wish I had done it earlier but when you're young you probably get four or five weeks off and you just want to go on holiday. It has been hectic, but it's been worth every minute.'

Meanwhile Southgate, who was criticised by Sir Alex Ferguson and the League Managers Association for going into management without qualifications, started the final stage in his coaching progression at Warwick University.

Team effort: Malcolm Crosby and Colin Cooper, assistants to Boro boss Southgate (above), have also started the pro-licence

His assistants Malcolm Crosby and Colin Cooper have also started the pro-licence, which was completed by Academy boss Dave Parnaby and reserves coach Steve Agnew over the summer break.

Southgate said: 'It’s good for what I want to do at Middlesbrough this summer and this season and it’s great for us with three of us starting it.

'It’s great because it gives everybody the bigger picture. It’s great for everyone’s development and hopefully it will be great for the players who will ultimately benefit from it.

'Coaching wasn’t something I considered until towards the end of my career. I wanted to try to help other people have the experiences that I had really. It’s only really the last couple of years playing that it became an aim.

'I was involved with the national team most summers, so that’s why I’m a little behind on my qualifications but I’m pleased that in the last three or four summers I have taken the time to do them, because I feel it has given me a lot to think about.'