NafisaRoy Keane Reveals Sunderland’s Missed Opportunity to Sign Prolific Striker
Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane has disclosed how the club narrowly missed out on securing highly-regarded striker Giuseppe Rossi during his tenure at the helm.
Keane, who managed the Black Cats from 2006 to 2008, oversaw the club’s dramatic rise from the Championship to the Premier League. Alongside managing the team, he was deeply involved in transfer dealings and made a concerted effort to bring Rossi to Wearside.
Speaking on The Overlap with Gary Neville, Giorgio Chiellini, Ian Wright, and Jamie Carragher, Keane revealed his unsuccessful attempt to sign the Italian forward, who instead opted for Spanish side Villarreal in 2007. Rossi, who began his career at Manchester United, ultimately tallied an impressive 132 career goals in club football and earned 30 caps for Italy, scoring seven goals.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Keane said: “I tried to bring him to Sunderland. I did, I spoke to him.”
Gary Neville quipped: “You tried to bring a lot of players to Sunderland,” prompting Keane to elaborate: “I was trying to get a good player. It’s a manager’s job. He had a choice of Sunderland or Villarreal, I think. He went to Villarreal and done really well. He had a couple of injuries, but done really well.”
Rossi’s decision to join Villarreal proved fruitful as he became a standout player in La Liga, showcasing the quality that Keane had hoped to add to his Sunderland squad. Despite the disappointment, Keane’s ambition in the transfer market highlighted his desire to elevate Sunderland during his tenure.
The missed signing serves as a reminder of how pivotal transfer decisions can shape the trajectory of both players and clubs. For Sunderland, it was a case of what might have been.
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