Sunderland boss Roy Keane says last season's Premiership campaign was a big eye-opener for him.

"I'll be a little bit wiser next season, without a shadow of a doubt," he said. "I think the experience of managing in the Premiership has sharpened me up 100 per cent - but I knew that it would.

"I knew that any mistakes I made would be taken advantage of in the Premiership and that has certainly proved to be the case.

"I've learned a lot about myself and about so many things - dealing with players, dealing with agents, all sorts.

"If I didn't learn from those experiences, I'd be struggling!"

He added: "You have to learn that you can't listen to too many people.

"Everyone is quick to give you advice but sometimes you have to go with your own gut feeling, and I've always been more comfortable doing that.

"It's not that I'm not open-minded and willing to listen to other people, but sometimes there can be a danger in listening to too many other people.

"I've got to try to stick with my gut feeling and not get swayed, even when things aren't going well.

"Do what you believe is right and things will be fine.

"I've tried to do that, even when we've had major disappointments."