Roy Keane 'told Sunderland players they were worth nothing'

That's according to Sweden international Tobias Hysen, who played under Keane during Sunderland's Championship-winning season. "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. "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. "At times he was very harsh. He would have a go at players, tell them that they were worth nothing." 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. "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. "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. "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. "Having done almost 16 years on the trot in management terms, I felt I needed a break and the break had to be long

Source: Telegraph