Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn believes Roy Keane's outspoken approach to management has made them a bigger club.

Keane was no stranger to controversy as a player, famously speaking out against Manchester United fans in his 'prawn sandwich brigade' interview in 2000 and criticising his team-mates in an interview for MUTV in 2005.

But Quinn insists he is happy with his manager's actions and feels it has benefited Sunderland's standing in the game.

"There's a refreshing honesty," he told The Independent.

"I'm more than happy to see our man wear his heart on his sleeve and not give standard, guarded PR answers.

"That's what our people want - 'Even if it's bad news, tell us the bad news.'

"I get letters saying, 'Roy's said this now' and my response is, 'Get over it'. You have to do that.

"You have to be strong to deal with criticism and then it flies away. I'm happy with the way Roy deals with things.

"Some reporters might drag up separate things he's said two years apart and accuse him of hypocrisy, but I know he makes our club a bigger club.

"The manager has been superb for us. He's the icon - he epitomises what we are."