Roy Keane, the former Ipswich Town manager, is being linked with a spectacular return to Championship management.

Sky Sports commentator Keane, who coached the Blues from April 2009 to January 2011, is the new frontrunner to take over Sunderland, which he led to the Premier League in 2007.

Michael Beale, the Black Cats’ manager, was fired last month after only 12 games in charge. He had taken over as manager of Ipswich Town from the legendary Tony Mowbray.

Sunderland, led by interim manager Mike Dodds, have lost six consecutive games and are now 12th in the Championship table.

They say: “If Sunderland are searching for a manager who understands the club and what it represents to the community, Roy Keane is the obvious choice.

“The Irishman, who has drifted on the market to be the next Republic of Ireland manager, was close to returning in 2022, but talks fell through, and Alex Neil was named Lee Johnson’s replacement instead.”

“Keane, a popular pundit on Sky Sports and ITV, is the 5/4 favourite to replace Dodds as the club’s next permanent manager.”

Will Still, the manager of Reims, is second favourite at 7/4, with Keane’s former Manchester United teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in third place at 5/2.

Steve Cooper and Scott Parker complete the top five.

Keane has not managed a club since leaving Town, but has served as an assistant at Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and the Republic of Ireland.