Current Town boss Roy Keane was appointed to the role of Manager of the club on 23rd April 2009, replacing former boss Jim Magilton who was sacked 24 hours previously.

The Irishman signed a two year contract at the club with the aim of returning Town to the Premiership within the period as Marcus Evans attempted to raise the profile of the club by Keane's appointment..

Keane was regarded as one of the top players of his generation and enjoyed considerable success with Manchester United in their domination of the English Game in the 1990's who he joined from Nottingham Forest after starting his career at hometown side Cobh Ramblers in Ireland. After 12 years at United Keane spent his last season as a player in the 2005/6 season at Celtic, a club of which Keane is a lifelong fan.

During his playing days Keane was often at the centre of contreversy with several notable incidents such as the pre-medidated revenge tackle on Alf-Inge Haland which all but ended the Norwegian's career, the blazing row with Ireland boss Mick McCarthy that led to Keane being sent home from the 2002 World Cup, and the explosive outburst on Manchester United's TV station where Keane issued a strongly worded rant against several of the club's first team players.

On 30th August 2006, Keane was appointed as manager of Sunderland, ironically succeeding former nemesis Mick McCarthy who left the club in March 2006, with Kevin Ball and Niall Quinn caretaking at The Stadium of Light in the intervening period. Keane aided by large investment from the board, secured promotion to the Premiership in his first season as a manager.

With survival very much the target for Sunderland on their return to the top flight, Keane achieved the aim with distinction, guiding the club to 15th place with 39 points. The next season however would not prove to be as successful for the Irishman and with Sunderland sitting in 18th in the Premiership in December Keane resigned from his position, later citing differences of opinion with the club's shareholders being the main reason behind the decision.