Quinn reluctantly accepts Keane decision

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The 37-year-old Irishman's 27-month reign drew to a close on Thursday morning when chairman Niall Quinn reluctantly accepted his decision to call it a day and bring an end to a whirlwind tenure on Wearside.

The man who persuaded his former Republic of Ireland team-mate to launch his managerial career at the Stadium of Light in August 2006, said: "He had put a lot of effort in here, brought more than just his presence here - he brought a way of thinking into this place."

Keane was due to hold his regular pre-match press conference ahead of the Barclays Premier League trip to former club Manchester United, but after the club finally confirmed his departure, it was Quinn who eventually faced the media.

Quinn continued: "He was instrumental in developing a winning mentality - that was the toughest thing of all for him to come and do when we were at the foot of the Championship.

"He brought standards to this club which are amazing. But to do that, it's intense.

"He is such a respected figure around the world that the media is intense, the fan pressure is intense.

"I tried for two years to keep as much pressure off him as possible, but obviously the Premier League is the Premier League and I guess it came to the point where Roy thought he had reached the end of that journey.

"Reluctantly, I accepted that. It was not the easiest thing to do, but I think it was the best thing to do in the circumstances at that point."