 He made 27 appearances that season, but was unable to prevent the Black Cats' relegation to the First Division in 2002–03.McAteer remained at the Stadium of Light for another year, playing in both legs of the play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace before being released at the end of the year.McAteer missed time during the season after suffering a broken nose in a clash with Manchester United's Roy Keane; the beginnings of which are likely to have been critical comments made by McAteer of Keane after the Saipan Incident at the 2002 World Cup.