Roy Keane admits life at Sunderland will be one big learning curve but despite his lack of experience the Corkman is confident he will become a successful manager.

The 35-year-old has played under great managers like Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough and is hopeful  some attributes might have rubbed off on him.

"I hope I can take the best of all of them (managers), although it's new to me and it's going to be a learning curve," he says.

"People will go on about inexperience but one or two experienced managers have had this job before and it hasn't quite worked.  But I'm glad I've got the opportunity. I wouldn't be here if I thought I couldn't do it."

Keane suggested Ferguson was correct to cut him from United following a pulled television interview last season in which he questioned his team-mate's desire during a slump in the club's form.

He feels he was "rightly punished" by Ferguson who had effectively silenced his captain but is confident the Scot would now field telephone calls and dole advice his direction should the need arise.

Keane's focused, no-nonsense approach to football is, of course, well documented and one that has earned him the respect of his peers.

He concedes those traits are responsible for "crossing the white line" on occasion during his successful but at times controversial career.

Still, he insists that approach is served in the best interests of his team and team-mates.

"Over the years I've crossed that white line," he admits. "It cost me a place at the World Cup in 2002 and maybe my Manchester United career. But I care about the game and who I'm playing for and with.

"All I expected from my team-mates was 100 per cent. I never criticised people for having bad games, I criticised people for slacking off and not being focused on the job."

Despite yesterday's victory over West Bromwich Albion - the club's first of the new season - Sunderland still lumber at the wrong end of the Championship table.

The club's players, therefore, can expect something akin to Ferguson's hairdryer treatment from their new manager as he attempts to fire up the band and negotiate a path through the competitive division.

"If the staff or players take their eye off the ball and are not prepared to give 100 per cent there will be a problem. It's very, very straightforward."

Where there won't be a problem, Keane stresses, is with club chairman Niall Quinn.

The pair went through a well documented, public falling out following the Saipan debacle four years ago but Keane insists whatever difficulties there may have been are now ironed out.

"I think it will be fine," he says. "A lot of people are making a big issue of the past but we sorted it out a few months ago.

"I think it's important to move on. I apologise if I've done something wrong but I really don't see a problem. That's the kind of character I am."