Sunderland in talks with Alex Neil after Roy Keane turns down job

After discussions between Keane and the Black Cats fell down in the previous 24 hours, the Irishman turned down the opportunity, the

team has shifted their focus to the Scotsman. 

Following dismissing Lee Johnson with a 6-0 loss against Bolton, Sunderland were keen to bring Keane back to the club. 

However, the club are now drawing in on Neil, who was fired as Preston manager in March. 

The 40-year-old has

familiarity, having led Norwich to promotion in 2015. He spent two years with Scottish side Hamilton Academical before joining Norwich.

Sunderland are looking for a coach before their clash against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. 

Keane, the club's main objective, was at the helm of Sunderland from 2006 to 2008, his first managerial job since leaving Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland. 

Before retiring in December 2008, he led the team to promotion as

victors in his first season in charge, and then to a 15th-place Premier League finish the next season. 

Keane has not been in charge of a club since being fired by Ipswich Town in 2011, however, he has coached the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest, as well as working as a television football analyst.

Sunderland are fourth in League One, two points behind the direct promotion positions but with four more fixtures played than second-placed Wigan. 

Sunderland have lost their previous three League One matches, and interim manager Mike Dodds has taken over.

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