Roy Keane to be Sunderland manager

Sunderland, England:

Roy Keane will take over as Sunderland manager after the English team's match against West Bromwich Albion. Sunderland and West Brom meet Monday in the League Championship, one level below the Premier League, and Keane is expected sign a contract after the match, the club said Sunday. Keane, a former Manchester United and Ireland midfielder, will replace Niall Quinn, who will remain as Sunderland's chairman. "Roy Keane visited Sunderland today where he met with players and officials from the club," Sunderland said on its Web site. "Keane and the club have agreed terms for him to be appointed as manager, and it is envisaged that he will sign a formal contract immediately after Sunderland's game against West Brom tomorrow." Consortium Last month, Quinn led a consortium to take control of Sunderland, which was relegated last season and is last in the League Championship. The 35-year-old Keane was at the club's Academy of Light training headquarters Sunday and met the players after training. Keane has no prior management experience but played alongside Quinn on Ireland's national team. From 1993-2005, Keane helped Manchester United win seven league titles and four FA Cups. He signed for Celtic in an 18-month deal last December, and helped the Hoops win the Scottish league title before retiring because of a nagging hip injury. Keane was sent home before the 2002 World Cup after a heated dispute with Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. He earned 66 caps for his country before retiring from international soccer in October 2005 after Ireland failed to qualify for the 2006 tournament. (AP)