Roy Keane admits he has finally started to enjoy management after being thrown in at the deep end last August when he agreed to become the boss of Sunderland.

At the time the Black Cats were languishing at the foot of the Championship and the 35-year-old had to learn fast and he admits he made mistakes in his first few months in charge.

However, under Keane's stewardship, the Wearsiders staged a remarkable recovery to not only drag themselves back into the Premiership at the first attempt, but did so as champions.

The former Manchester United skipper insisted in the wake of a dramatic conclusion to the campaign that he had been unable to enjoy the season as he scaled a steep learning curve.

But the weeks since have allowed him to put the achievement into perspective. He said: "I was comparing a lot of being a manager to when I was a player. It's a million miles away. The difference is unbelievable, but maybe the more experience I get, the more I enjoy it.

"I don't think it will ever be as hectic as it was last season, especially in the months after I took the job. When I took the job, with the transfer deadline approaching and everything else, there was that much going on I didn't have time to take it in, never mind enjoy it."

That said, Keane has never been a man to rest on his laurels, and he is certainly not about to start now. Once promotion was assured, he and chairman Niall Quinn sat down to discuss the way forward and identify the players the club would need to make a real impact in the top flight.

Progress to date has been slow, on the surface at least, with Sunderland having found themselves linked with a series of targets but yet to make the breakthrough.

Preston striker David Nugent and Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen have headed the list thrown up by the rumour mill, although Keane has given nothing away. Instead, he is working away behind the scenes having put all thoughts of last season's glorious conclusion to one side.

He said: "It was nice to reflect on the achievement of last season. I just like winning football matches, that's what motivates me. But I have quickly moved on from the success - I did it as a player. Getting promotion is history now."