Taking a side into the Premier League is a daunting enough prospect for any young manager, but such is Roy Keane's enthusiasm and appetite that his first season in the top flight with Sunderland was also divided between classroom time as he studied for his UEFA Pro Licence in coaching.

Having arrived at the Black Cats two years ago with the side languishing at the foot of the Championship, Keane has seen a remarkable run of results and capitalised on his progress by keeping Sunderland in the Premier League with matches to spare.

And despite having to work towards his Pro Licence during the season, Keane believes it was a sacrifice that is well worth making.

Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Keane said: "The start of last summer I came straight into my Pro Licence from my 'A' Licence, so it was particularly hectic and on top of that we had just got promoted.

"But I think that's the one of the tests of the course, can you stick to it, can you get through it? What we have found over the last few years is a lot of players saying it's difficult to find the time for the courses, but to me that's half the challenge.

"That's the sacrifice you have to make for the qualification. So, yes it's been hectic and busy, but it's been worth every minute of it."

Although he has now completed the Pro Licence, Keane is insistant that his learning is only just beginning.

"I've come on the course and instead of thinking that it's over now, this is where my learning really starts," Keane explained.

"Sometimes people think 'I've done my badges, it's done now and I'm qualified', but I think all my qualifications will come over the next 20 or 30 years of experiences of working with teams.

"You've always got to raise the bar. We knew last year was all about staying in the Premiership which we managed to do, and next year the aim is to try and build on that. Otherwise I wouldn't be doing my job."

Keane's ambitions, as ever, increase every season and he says the sights will be higher this season as they seek to establish themselves in the Premier League.

Keane said: "Obviously we want to do better than last season - even though we achieved what we wanted to achieve, which was staying in the Premiership.

"Trust me, you've got to keep raising the bar and I'm quite comfortable with that. The coaches around me and the people I'm working with, it's testing them and making sure they're raising the bar.

"It's all about building up their own experiences, and becoming as good as they can be. For me to see my own staff on the Pro Licence, trust me it gives me a great boost for myself."

Read part two of this interview on Saturday 12 July, and part three on Friday 18 July

Read an exclusive interview with Gareth Southgate on TheFA.com on Sunday 6 July