Keane has not put a foot wrong during his first year as a manager, his reputation soaring as he took Sunderland to the Barclays Premier League from an improbable position.

They face Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool in their first month back in the top flight and if the situation reverses and pressure is put on Keane, Quinn insists "they'll be sacking me as well".

For the time being, Sunderland appear to have earned a degree of good will from neutrals thanks to Keane's presence and Quinn feels interest from other clubs would illustrate the healthy position of the club.

"That's what we want," he said. "If that's the way it pans out then great because it means we are in a good place.

"Then I'll have to try to pull another rabbit out of the hat when that comes around. That's hopefully the way this thing will play itself out."

Quinn admits Keane has raised the bar at the Stadium of Light, the chairman describing their relationship as a professional partnership.

The day after promotion was sealed, Quinn was arranging hotels for the pre-season trip to Galway.

"Rather than pick up the yellow pages, I was up at 6am to go there," Quinn said. "My job wasn't to celebrate."

In return, Keane will be given the time needed to help the club progress, even if results initially prove difficult to come by as they did in their last Premier League campaign when they won once before Christmas.

"The days are gone when people had lots of time but I can assure you that, if the fans want the manager out, they'll have to have me out as well," said Quinn. "That's the way it's going to be.

"Whoever the chairman is, I think the person they put their trust in they should back to the hilt. Rather than squirming out in 18 months and saying 'He's terrible, I'll pick another', you should live and die by your man.

"We haven't signed an agreement but I believe that, long-term, Roy is the great answer to this football club's problems.

"There will be rocky roads getting there but his strongest supporter is here. As far as I'm concerned if anyone thinks they can say sack the manager they'll be sacking me as well.

"I think the fans understand that and know there's something different going on here."

Keane's arrival as a Premier League manager has increased the spotlight on the former Manchester United skipper, but Quinn has backed his former Republic of Ireland team-mate to cope with it.

"He's a great draw but he's handled it all his life," Quinn added. "For our TV games we've been picked more than Chelsea and Arsenal up to November, so that will tell you something. That's stuff fans are pinching themselves about.

"The danger with Roy is that he did so well last year that people will expect it automatically.

"We hope this is a long journey, it ain't going to happen by October."