Roy Keane has resigned as the manager of the Premier League club Sunderland. It has been confirmed that the former Manchester United captain has resigned from his managerial position at the club.

Sunderland’s form this season so far has been woeful as they have now dropped down to 18th in the table, thanks to six defeats in seven matches and there is a genuine fear that the Black Cats might get relegated from the English top flight at the end of this season.

A statement on the official Sunderland website reads:

“After 2 ¼ years at the helm Roy Keane has parted company with Sunderland AFC after both parties reached an amicable agreement.”

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.”

Roy Keane took over the management of Sunderland in August 2006 at a time when they were languishing at the bottom of the Championship. At the end of the season, the Black Cats had gained promotion to the Premier League.

But now that Keane has decided to call it quits at Sunderland, who is next in line as the Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce