Sunderland majority shareholder Ellis Short insists they never placed pressure on former manager Roy Keane.
Most at the club have expressed shock and regret at the Irishman's decision to quit the Stadium of Light, although a report on Saturday morning suggested some of the Sunderland hierarchy were less disappointed to see him leave.
But Short told safc.com: "The comments reported in a newspaper today do not represent me, Drumaville or the board.
"For the record, I have nothing but admiration for Roy Keane and am grateful for all he has done for the club and I wish him well for the future.
"With regards to the future, (club chairman) Niall Quinn and his executive board are the only people authorised to speak on behalf of the club, and they alone will be responsible for identifying a successor to Roy Keane in due course."