Grizzle and grizzled

[mistletoe]

I removed my Roy Keane icon yesterday to make room for this one. He removed himself as manager of Sunderland AFC today. I take no responsibility for that decision, but once again my uncanny psychic knack with sporting events has struck.

Club statement: 

Roy Keane has parted company with Sunderland AFC after 27 months in charge 

Both parties reached an amicable agreement this morning.

Keane, who decided the time had come to stand down, took over Sunderland in August 2006 when the team were languishing at the bottom of the Championship.

He steered the Black Cats to promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt and maintained Premier League status in 2008.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: "First of all, on behalf of everyone here, I would like pay thanks to Roy Keane for all his hard work in progressing this club, lifting its status and growing its worldwide profile.

"Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the club from the depths of the Championship back to the Premier League.

"His winning mentality and singled-mindedness were just what this club needed when Drumaville took over shortly before his arrival.

"Roy's decision to stand aside and allow someone else to take charge of the next chapter sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club.

"Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself.

"The Board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future."

Roy Keane added: "I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and in particular the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland and I would like to wish the club every success in the future."

The Board will now commence the task of identifying and recruiting a successor to Keane. 

Ricky Sbragia has agreed to take over team management assisted by Neil Bailey and Dwight Yorke as an interim measure.

This has been on the cards for a while. The false dawn of the victory over Newcastle was followed by the dark days of 5 successive defeats - 3 at home. The Bolton result was the final straw and he was making noises from the weekend that suggested he was feeling antsy.

Niall Quinn showed what a top man he is and why I love him with a dignified press conference at lunch time. Who now I wonder? Sam Allardyce? Alan Curbishley? Someone out of left field? It's a black day.


In other news we were at work today. This should not be surprising but the forecast proved correct and we had snow, quite a lot of it. Every school in town and the surrounding area was shut, except us. I walked to work in a blizzard. Most staff were able to get in at 9 o'clock, but Pat didn't make it as she couldn't get off her estate and fell over in the process hurting her arm. We got a letter of thanks from the Head for getting there. No doubt some manky biscuits will appear tomorrow, but it was a wasted effort as only half the kids were in so not much work could be done. And needless to say it was cold in my classroom. At least the Deputy Head gave me a lift home.

It rained at dinnertime but there is still plenty of snow around which will no doubt freeze and be treacherous in the morning. Bah!