MusaEx-Sunderland goalkeeping coach Raimond van der Gouw has claimed that the Black Cats squad he worked with sometimes “couldn’t follow” former boss Roy Keane because the Irishman’s expectations of them were too high.
Keane enjoyed a predominantly successful stint at the Stadium of Light between 2006 and 2008, guiding the club to promotion from the Championship and keeping them in the Premier Leagueat the first time of asking before leaving his role after an inconsistent start to 2008/09 campaign.
For his part, Van de Gouw arrived on Wearside in June 2007, and would actually outlast Keane, only departing when Steve Bruce was appointed at the end of the 2008/09 campaign. From there, he would return to former club Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands.
What did Raimond van der Gouw say about Roy Keane’s tenure at Sunderland?
And speaking during a recent appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, where Keane is a regular panel member, the Dutchman opened up on what it was like to work at Sunderland under his ex-Manchester United teammate’s leadership.
He said: “Very good. I loved it. I loved my time there. Yeah, I him know as a player, but as a manager, it’s different. I can understand where he was coming from and sometimes the players couldn’t follow him because he expected a high level and some of the players… Roy expected that, but the players couldn’t deliver that. And I think it was difficult for you [Keane] to accept that.
“And the whole time, he put a lot of pressure on the players. But I had a good time. It was hard, it was difficult, because Sunderland was at that time, you know, they said it’s a yo-yo club. It was not easy.”
He continued: “I think Roy did a very good job. Only, I think you can say that. I think you expected more from yourself or from the players. But sometimes you forget the overview.”
Always one for a snappy comeback, Keane quipped: “You can go now, Ray”, before adding: “That’s run me out of the Spurs job!” The only other management role of Keane’s career came at Ipswich Town between 2009 and 2011.
Musa
Kwaghterna Garshagu
