Roy Keane facing make-or-break season as Sunderland boss

Roy Keane has admitted his managerial reputation will be decided in the next 12 months.

And the Sunderland boss piled on the transfer pressure by telling chairman Niall Quinn: "The real deal-makers get over the line."

Keane is desperate for new signings to build on a successful first season back in the Premier League and believes the club's ambitions are also on the line in the next few weeks.

Quinn and his team have drawn a blank so far this summer, but Keane is hoping to smash the club's £9million transfer record and have a high-profile new face through the door next week. The club are in the market for "quality" players with top-flight experience.

Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is leaving the Spanish giants, and Spurs star Darren Bent are both big-money targets.

Sunderland have also been alerted to the availability of £12m Spurs trio Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and Teemu Tainio and are interested in striking a deal.

Keane has yet to sign a new deal on Wearside, with only one season left on his contract, and wants to ensure his squad improves. And in a clear hurry-up to his chairman, Keane said: "The next two or three weeks are a vital part of the future of Sunderland and my future.

"I know they are working extremely hard and had some very good bids turned down.

"It's all very well trying hard and nearly having these deals. The real dealmakers get over the line.

"Supporters say we don't get these deals done and history tells you we don't, but that's why I'm here - to change history. I'm confident Niall can get the deals we're after, perhaps in the next 48 hours.

"I want real quality, players who have handled the Premier. I'm hoping to get five or six players I'm interested in."

Keane added: "I'm a wiser manager than I was 12 months ago. I'm confident the team can do better than last season, I need to learn from my mistakes and keep improving. You speak to some managers who have been going 25 or 30 years and I'm still a baby.

"Hopefully I'm a fast learner and my job is to make sure we progress as a football club. We did that the first year and we did that last year.

"I'm confident we will do so again this year.

"I'm not frustrated, although I might be in two or three weeks. It's vital to get the improvement we need.

"We have lost three players since we last kicked a ball and we were already short."

Sunderland have lost striker Kenwyne Jones until the New Year with a knee injury and Man United defender Jonny Evans has returned to Old Trafford after his loan.

A deal for Dorin Goian is dead because Sunderland refused to match Steaua Bucharest's £3.5m valuation.

SUNDERLAND UNDER ROY KEANE
Played 82, Drawn 13, Won 37, Lost 32

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