OffsAIde
·10 February 2026
Niall Quinn reveals he offered Steve Bould the Sunderland job before Roy Keane

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Yahoo sportsOffsAIde
·10 February 2026

Niall Quinn has revealed a previously undisclosed managerial approach involving former Arsenal defender Steve Bould before Roy Keane’s 2006 appointment at Sunderland.
According to Sunderland Echo, the disclosure surfaced in Arsenal’s matchday programme last weekend as Quinn reflected on former team-mates and their suitability for management. “I always felt Steve Bould would make a good manager,” Quinn said. “In fact, I offered him the Sunderland job before Roy Keane.”
Sunderland ultimately appointed Keane in August 2006. He took over a side second bottom of the Championship and led a surge to promotion and the title the following season. He resigned in December 2008, citing differences with the club’s hierarchy.
Bould and Quinn were reunited on Wearside in summer 1999 when he joined newly promoted Sunderland. He became club captain after Kevin Ball’s departure and was integral as Peter Reid’s side finished seventh, narrowly missing Europe. Injury curtailed his stay and he retired in September 2000 after 21 league appearances.
Across 11 years at Highbury after arriving from Stoke City in 1988, Bould made 287 league appearances and won two league titles, the FA Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup. His partnership with Tony Adams defined Arsenal’s defence and he was Arsenal’s Player of the Season in 1990-91.
After hanging up his boots, Bould spent seven years as Arsenal’s assistant manager, helping shape several defensive units. He later worked abroad with Lommel, then returned to England as first-team coach at Queens Park Rangers.
Source: Sunderland Echo
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