Roy Keane 'told Sunderland players they were worth nothing'

10 December 2008 09:58
That's according to Sweden international Tobias Hysen, who played under Keane during Sunderland's Championship-winning season. [LNB] "Because of Keane's reputation people were afraid of trying to talk to him. He wanted players to speak but they didn't," said Hysen in the Sun. [LNB] "It was OK for me at first as I was in the team but any of the lads who were cut out had no relationship with him. [LNB] "At times he was very harsh. He would have a go at players, tell them that they were worth nothing." [LNB]Keane's departure was reportedly a popular move among many Sunderland players. Sam Allardyce, whose managerial style is less combative, is the front-runner to replace the Irishman. [LNB] "I've said over the last few days that I would like to get back into managing a football club and I'm bound to be linked with Sunderland at the moment," said Allardyce, who has been out of work since being sacked by Newcastle in January. [LNB] "There's been no official contact, but I know what a great club it is. I've worked there twice before; once as a player and once as a coach with Peter Reid, so I know what it needs. But we'll just have to wait and see. [LNB] "There have been one or two positions I've talked about, but I haven't felt it was right for me to go at that particular time or for whatever reason which obviously stays confidential but I really feel I'm ready now. [LNB] "Having done almost 16 years on the trot in management terms, I felt I needed a break and the break had to be long [LNB]

Source: Telegraph