Manchester United icon Roy Keane could return to management with Sunderland reportedly planning to interview him over their vacant managerial role.
Lee Johnson was relieved of his duties at the Stadium of Light in the aftermath of their 6-0 drubbing to Bolton Wanderers last weekend.
And reports suggest they are looking to welcome the former boss back, who led them to the Premier League in 2007 after winning the Championship.
The former Reds captain has been out of management since he left Ipswich Town in 2011, taking in stints as an assistant at the Republic of Ireland and Aston Villa in the meantime, but looks set to be interviewed over a sensational return to management with the Black Cats, 13 years after he quit, according to the Daily Mail.
Sunderland currently sit third in League One, two points off Wigan Athletic in second and five behind Rotherham United.
Since departing his role at Villa in 2019, he has primarily been a pundit for Sky Sports and as part of ITV's coverage of the European Championships and England.
He has been outspoken in his brutal views of United players and their previous managers, never failing to mince his words.
The 50-year-old's comments left the door wide open for a return to management when asked about the vacant manager's job at Old Trafford following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking, citing his work on Wearside.
"They were never going to call me, they were never going to call me, that was never going to happen," he told Sky Sports.
"Listen, I would have no problem going into any dressing room trying to take control of the dressing room, I've managed in the Premier League.
"I don't think it would've been a problem for me but people tend to forget I have managed before. I did okay in the Premier League with Sunderland."
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