Manchester City Boss Mark Hughes believes Roy Keane will return to the game a wiser manager.
Keane resigned as Sunderland boss on Thursday after 27 months in charge at the Stadium of Light.
His departure followed a string of poor results, which currently leaves the Black Cats fighting relegation at 18th on the table.
Hughes, however, believes his former team-mate and counterpart will return to the game a stronger individual.
"Roy is a young man and still has a great future in the game," said Hughes on the Sky Sports website.
"Maybe he just needs that breathing space to refresh himself, take a step back and learn from the experience.
"It is always sad when a Premier League manager or any manager loses his job.
"He will have had his reasons for leaving Sunderland. He is a very forthright and straight guy," Hughes said.
He added: "Once he makes a decision he sticks to his guns. That seems to be what has happened here."
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