Micah Richards quips his bags are packed and jokes he could be Roy Keane’s assistant at Sunderland

Micah Richards quips his bags are packed as he jokes he could become Sky Sports co-pundit Roy Keane’s assistant at Sunderland amid the Black Cats’ sensational plans to interview the Irishman as manager

  • Sunderland are contemplating a move for their former manager Roy Keane
  • The Black Cats sacked Lee Johnson following a 6-0 defeat to Bolton on Saturday
  • The club plan on interviewing Keane over the vacant position in the coming days
  • Keane’s co-pundit Micah Richards joked he is ready to be his assistant manager 


Micah Richards has joked his bags are packed amid Sunderland’s plans to interview to Roy Keane over what would be a sensational return. 

The League One side are looking to appoint a new manager after Lee Johnson’s dismissal on Sunday on the back of a 6-0 defeat at Bolton which left them third in the table, two points off second.

Sportsmail reported on Wednesday that the club’s hierarchy are hoping to speak with former boss Keane in the coming days, 13 years on from his departure from the North East.   

Micah Richards (left)has joked his bags are packed amid Sunderland’s plans to interview to Roy Keane (right) for the manager position

The Sky Sports pundit took to social media to quip that he was ready to become Keane's assistant

The Sky Sports pundit took to social media to quip that he was ready to become Keane’s assistant

Keane first took the job at the Stadium of Light in 2006 and led the club to promotion

Keane first took the job at the Stadium of Light in 2006 and led the club to promotion 

Reacting to the news, Keane’s Sky Sports co-pundit Richards joked that he could get the job as the Irishman’s assistant. 

ODDSbible tweeted a photo of Keane, citing the odds for him to take the job at Sunderland as 1/1. 

The post was accompanied by the caption: ‘Wonder if he’ll get @MicahRichards in as his assistant.’ 

Richards replied, quipping he would be following the ex-Manchester United captain to the Stadium of Light. 

ODDSbible tweeted asking if Richards would become Keane's No 2 at the Stadium of Light

ODDSbible tweeted asking if Richards would become Keane’s No 2 at the Stadium of Light

He referenced transfer guru Fabrizio Romano’s catchphrase and tagged the journalist, writing: ‘Here we go @FabrizioRomano I have my stuff packed.’ 

Richards and Keane have formed an unlikely friendship on Sky Sports with the former Manchester City defender’s enthusiastic and bubbly personality complimenting the Irishman’s more serious demeanour. 

Keane’s first-ever job as a manager came at Sunderland in 2006 and he remains popular on Wearside after leading the Black Cats to the Championship title in 2007. 

Keane remains popular on Wearside after leading the Black Cats to the Championship title in 2007

Keane remains popular on Wearside after leading the Black Cats to the Championship title in 2007

The Black Cats ditched former boss Lee Johnson despite them being right in the promotion fight

The Black Cats ditched former boss Lee Johnson despite them being right in the promotion fight 

He has strong support from within the club and is seen as the type of character they need to reignite their League One promotion push.

Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will lead the interview process and sources say they expect to have a conversation with Keane.

Whether Keane is convinced by the project at Sunderland remains to be seen. The former Manchester United captain has also forged a hugely successful punditry career with Sky Sports. Other names in the frame include Grant McCann, Neil Warnock and Neil Lennon.