SUNDERLAND - ROY Keane has left his job as manager of English Premier League club Sunderland, English media reported on Thursday.

The reports followed 24 hours of intense speculation that the former Manchester United star was on the brink of quitting.

There was no immediate confirmation or denial of the reports from Sunderland but, according to the BBC, players and staff have been informed of Keane's exit.

Keane had been in charge of the club for 27 months and guided them into the Premier League in his first season in charge.

He had been under pressure recently however as Sunderland slipped into the relegation zone and the Irishman had recently expressed doubts as to whether he was the right man for the job. -- AFP