Sunderland: One man deserves more credit than most for Roy Keane success - View | OneFootball

Niall Quinn was able to appoint Roy Keane as manager, despite turning the job down during the summer.

Taking on the mammoth roles of club chairman and manager simultaneously is unfathomable and unheard of in modern football. However, in 2006, Niall Quinn was forced to try his hand at the impossible, juggling both jobs with Sunderland.

Needless to say, it did not last long before it dawned on Quinn that there was a reason why he was the only known man on earth doing it in professional football.

Having lost the opening four games of the Championship season, the former Black Cats forward acted to reverse the club's fortunes and keep his legendary reputation intact.

In appointing Roy Keane to his first managerial role in professional football, it was a pivotal moment which could have seen Sunderland's season go one of two ways, but it was a moment that defined the Wearsiders' season for the better.

Niall Quinn was destined to fail as chairman and manager

In truth, Quinn never wanted the role as Sunderland manager, but his hand was forced after failing to bring one in over the summer.

The likes of Martin O'Neil, Sam Allardyce and Keane all turned down the prospect of managing the club following their relegation from the Premier League.

Despite having a successful pre-season, Quinn's side unravelled during their opening four games of the season, losing every single one of their matches against Coventry City, Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle and Southend United respectively.

By the time the Black Cats were to face West Bromwich Albion, the mood at the Stadium of Light was changing, with the appointment of Keane on the horizon.

The former Republic of Ireland international had a change of heart, having turned down the Sunderland job over the summer, and had just retired from professional football following a spell with Celtic.

Keane was in the stands to witness the Black Cats' first win of the season as they defeated the Baggies 2-0 at the Stadium of Light. Perhaps the sheer presence of the notorious hothead was enough to kick Sunderland into gear.

Roy Keane kicked Sunderland into gear after New Year

In classic Keane style, he signed six players for the club on deadline day despite watching the Wearsiders defeat West Brom just days earlier.

Playing on his Manchester United and Republic of Ireland links, Keane brought in Dwight Yorke, Graham Kavanagh and David Connolly, among others.

It did not take Keane's new reinforcements long to make an impact on the pitch, with Ross Wallace, Kavanagh and Connolly all contributing a goal or assist in Sunderland's 2-1 win over Derby County.

While the Wearsiders adjusted to life under Keane, it was not until the turn of the year when the Black Cats kicked into gear. Following their defeat to Preston North End at the end of 2006, the Wearsiders only lost one more game all season, winning 16 out of 20.

Sunderland marked their return to the top flight with a famous 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light. Michael Chopra, signed from Cardiff City, clinched a last minute winner to send the Wearsiders into raptures.

Although the Black Cats endured a predictably tough return to the Premier League, Keane guided them to a 15th place finish, which was all the fans wanted and more.

Despite defeating their old foes Newcastle United 2-1, Keane resigned from his post as manager in December 2008, later citing a rift with owner Ellis Short for his departure.

Understandably, fans were disappointed with Keane's resignation, but he will be remembered as the man who built the foundations for Premier League stability for the following eight seasons.

Furthermore, credit must go to Quinn, who was able to convince the former Manchester United captain to take the helm at the Stadium of Light.

Quinn's double role as chairman and manager was never going to last, and predictably, he endured four defeats in his opening four games.

Despite rejecting the club over the summer, Quinn convinced Keane to take over as boss, and he never looked back.

Keane steered Sunderland to the Premier League in fine fashion, and the club remained there for a decade. If it were not for Quinn's persuasion, then the club might have been marooned in the Championship.