Ex-striker says Sunderland should turn to Roy Keane if they are relegated in the summer

Elliott played under Keane when the Irishman took Sunderland to the Premier League and is a big admirer of his managerial qualities - insisting Keane is the man the situation is "screaming out for".

Moyes took charge of Sunderland last summer and the Black Cats are currently six points adrift of Premier League safety after another disappointing campaign.

While he appreciates the calls for stability in the dugout, Elliott believes Keane would be the perfect solution for Sunderland should the club be relegated and the manager's job become available.

"If they do decide to change the guy in the dugout again, there’s one man who is screaming out for the position in my view," said Elliott in his column for sportdec.com

"I was at the club when they were last relegated to the Championship, it was a similar situation to the one they face now. There was real doom and gloom around the club.

"Roy Keane came in and like a saviour, he lifted the whole place in an instant.

"Just over 10 years after his first step into management, I feel it’s the perfect time for Roy to get back in the hot seat.

"I think the club could do worse than give him the reigns again.

"I think the club need somebody that will get the supporters coming to the games with a belief and a spring in their steps again. I’ve no doubt that Keane would do this and more."

Keane has since managed Ipswich Town and been assistant manager at Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland, where he currently works under former Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill.

Elliott added: "I feel the club would be getting a much better manager the second time round.

"He has spent the last few years as second in command to both Paul Lambert at Villa and now to Martin O’Neill with Ireland.

"I’ve no doubt he has learned an awful lot from these experiences, especially during his spell with Martin.

"I understand he has stated that there is no rush for him to get back into management, but I have a feeling if the Sunderland job came up again he would definitely contemplate it."

Read the full column here: