The former Ireland, Manchester United and Celtic midfielder was linked Wednesday to his first managerial job since retiring as a player in June.

Sky Sports News and the BBC website both reported Keane would be installed as Sunderland's next manager. Sunderland refused to deny the speculation.

``The club is in discussions with a high-profile figure and is hopeful an announcement will be made in the near future,'' the team said in a statement late Wednesday.

Sunderland is looking for a manager after chairman Niall Quinn resigned as coach after the Black Cats lost its first four league games and was ousted in the first round of the League Cup to Bury on Tuesday.

Last month, Quinn led a consortium to take control of Sunderland, which was relegated last season and is last in the League Championship.

Keane has no prior management experience but played alongside Quinn in the Irish national team.

Between 1993 and 2005, Keane helped Manchester United win seven league titles and four FA Cups. He signed for Celtic in an 18-month deal last December, and helped the Hoops to the Scottish league title before retiring age 34 because of a nagging hip injury.

Keane was sent home before the 2002 World Cup after a heated dispute with Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. He earned 66 caps for his country before retiring from international soccer in October 2005 after Ireland failed to qualify for the 2006 tournament.