Roy Keane quitting as Sunderland boss was not a huge shock but I’m surprised by reports many of the players were happy about his departure.

The former Manchester United midfielder seemed an inspired appointment by chairman Niall Quinn two years ago despite having no managerial experience — apart from playing under Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson.

The trophies he won as a player, his burning desire for success, a refusal to accept second-best and the sheer force of his personality seemed ideal qualities to galvanise Sunderland into becoming more than England’s best yo-yo club.

The Irishman made his mark early on by leaving three players behind when they were late for the team bus to an away game and proved up to the job on the pitch too as he led Sunderland to promotion back to the Premier League.

However, just as in his days as a rampaging midfielder for club and country, he seemed to struggle with players who weren’t up to his standard and he was exasperated by those who were not 100 percent committed.

You would think that the likes of Anton Ferdinand (8 million pounds) Pascal Chimbonda (£5m) and Andy Reid (£4m) would be delighted that such a man considered them worth bringing to his club for seemingly inflated prices but they have hardly paid him back with sparkling performances.

As Sunderland slipped down the league towards the all-too-familiar relegation zone, where were the players apologising for their feeble displays?

Instead we hear, unofficially, that many of them were celebrating the news that the manager had gone, pushed over the edge by last weekend’s 4-1 defeat by Bolton Wanderers – a video of which could be used in a “how not to defend” coaching class.

 ”He ruled by fear,” whined one unnamed millionaire, who will continue to collect his £50,000-a-week regardless of how badly he or his team play.

If a man like Keane cannot inspire a team to perform or even earn their complete respect, then what hope is there for anyone else?

PHOTO: Ex-Sunderland manager Roy Keane shouts during a Premier League game against Manchester City at the Stadium of Light, April 12, 2008. REUTERS//Russell Cheyne