Sunderland fans remain divided on if Roy Keane would have brought success to the club had he taken the manager's job.
Sunderland had held formal talks with the Manchester United legend after sacking Lee Johnson at the end of last month and it is understood Keane was the leading candidate for the role.
The former Republic of Ireland captain spent nearly two-and-a-half years in charge of the Black Cats before resigning in December 2008.
Keane, 50, is believed to have had strong boardroom support and recently hinted at his interest in returning to Wearside during his work as a football pundit.
But talks with Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman broke down and Alex Neil has subsequently got the job.
But Black Cats fans are still arguing over if Keane would have been succesful at the club had he not turned the role down.
Of those supporters that were happy that Keane was not appointed, one claimed: "Keane wasn't good enough for the job and the club wanted to move forward not backwards, so get behind Alex Neil and forget Roy Keane he's not coming end of, thank god."
Another said: "Well i wish Alex every success now he is here just really glad all that nonsense with Roy Keane is over. Lets give the guy our full backing and you never know what can happen."
Someone else commented: "A surprisingly sensible hire from Sunderland and much less fun for everyone else than Roy Keane."
But a number of people were disappointed not to see Keane return to management.
One tweeted: "Real shame Roy Keane is not going back to Sunderland."
Another posted: "Disappointed Roy Keane turned Sunderland down."
Former Republic of Ireland assistant Keane, who has been out of management since being sacked by Ipswich in 2011, guided Sunderland to promotion to the Premier League in 2007 in his first season in charge.
The following season, the Black Cats finished 15th in the top flight before Keane quit following strained relations with the club’s hierarchy.
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