Roy Keane is once again a football manager with his appointment at Ipswich Town and declared on Thursday that he would like to take them to the Premier League in one season.

The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder has signed a two-year contract at the Suffolk club, who sacked former boss Jim Magilton on Wednesday after it became clear that Ipswich had no chance of securing promotion to the Premier League this term.

Keane, 37, who helped steer Sunderland from fourth from bottom in the Championship to the Premier League in 2006-07, his first season in charge, before resigning from the north-east club in December, told a news conference at Ipswich’s Portman Road ground: “It’s a massive challenge trying to get the club back in the Premier League.

“I’m excited and looking forward to it. I’ve had a good break.

It’s good to be back. I’ve signed a two-year contract but I’d like to try and do it (get promotion) in one year.

“If I wasn’t up for challenges I’d be out walking my dogs today.

I think my dogs need a break.”

Keane, renowned for his no-nonsense approach and distaste for many of the trappings associated with current players, insisted he would not be wielding the axe straight away following the sacking of previous boss Jim Magilton.

“It would be unfair to say to players whose contracts are up ‘You’ve got two games to prove yourself’,” Keane, who held his first Ipswich training earlier on Thursday, said.

“All I’ve asked of any player as a manager is that they give 100 percent, and that’s all I’m asking of the Ipswich players.”

Keane said he relished the expectations that came with his being appointed on just a two-year contract.

“I’m very comfortable with the two years, if that means I’m putting myself under pressure – so what?

“It’s all about the challenge, when I took over at Sunderland I knew that was a big club and I could turn it around and it’s the same here.”

However, he admitted getting Ipswich back up into the top-flight, where they last played in 2002, would be no easy task.

“It’s going to be very difficult, looking at the teams that will come down (from the Premier League).

“It’s a massive challenge, but hopefully we will be in the mix.

At the moment we are 26 points behind Wolves, so that’s a big, big gap to make up.”

Asked why he’d joined Ipswich, Keane – who said he had had other offers – explained: “My gut feeling, the ambition of the club, the history of the club.

“It’s a proper football club. I think I’ve been very lucky with the clubs I’ve been involved with and I’m very lucky to get this job.”

The abrupt nature of Keane’s exit from Sunderland, which he attributed to a breakdown in his relationship with American investor Ellis Short, led many, including his old United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, to question whether he would return to management.

But Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg was adamant that Keane was the frst choice to take over at a club where owner Marcus Evans has already spent £12 million on new players.

That investment did not produce the desired results under Magilton, who had been in charge since June 2006 and left with the club in ninth place in the table, 12 points adrift of the final play-off spot.

However, Clegg said: “I am absolutely convinced that with Roy Keane as our new manager we will build on this club’s rich heritage, its traditions and values, and that he will lead us back to Premiership football.”

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za