Dick Advocaat signs deal to continue as Sunderland manager

Dick Advocaat signs deal to continue as Sunderland manager after U-turn

• Advocaat turned down offer of new contract eight days ago
• Dutchman signs one-year deal to stay at club


Dick Advocaat celebrates after the draw at Arsenal which secured Sunderland's Premier League survival.

Sunderland are no longer in need of a manager after persuading Dick Advocaat to change his mind about retiring and sign a new one-year deal with the club.

Sam Allardyce and Sean Dyche had both been linked with the apparent vacancy but when Sunderland issued firm denials abut the latter a few days ago it appeared they had still not given up on their old manager, and on Thursday the owner, Ellis Short, and the sporting director, Lee Congerton, confirmed they had badgered the Dutchman until they got the answer they wanted.

“Dick was always our No1 choice and we were determined we weren’t going to take no for an answer,” Congerton said. “I have been in constant contact with him over the last two weeks and I am absolutely delighted he has agreed to return. He bought into the club wholeheartedly and understands exactly what we need in order to move forward.”

Short said he realised in the two months Advocaat spent at the club at the end of last season, securing Premier League survival with a game to spare, that Sunderland would struggle to find a more experienced or better prepared manager. “Dick’s credentials in football are top class, and we saw in the space of two months what an impact his vast knowledge and experience had on our team,” the American said. “Sunderland fans took him to their hearts and so did everyone at the club, so we are absolutely thrilled that he will be here longer term.”

Exactly how long the 67-year-old stays depends on results. If all goes well, he may well consider staying on even longer, even though he originally promised his wife he was ready to retire. He clearly enjoyed his first taste of the Premier League, even if it was only a brief stint of firefighting, and though the opportunity has come a little later than he would have liked he appeared to be torn over the issue when reluctantly bowing out after the final game. “At certain moments in your life you have to make a decision and I am almost 68 years old now,” is what he originally said, after talking the matter over with his wife.

Sunderland must have sensed the door was not so firmly shut it could not be pushed open, however, and eight days after his initial answer Advocaat has just admitted to the Dutch press that Short and Congerton gained a reward for persistence. “The club kept calling, the owner would not let go,” Advocaat said. “They think I am still fit enough to carry on and personally, so do I. I still feel fine, and Sunderland is a wonderful club. It was a great feeling to be so involved in the last few months, the experience was very special, and after talking with Lee, Ellis and of course my family, we all agree it is the right decision.”

Advocaat has managed Holland, Russia, Belgium, South Korea and Serbia in his time, as well as leading clubs in the Netherlands, and spent four years as manager of Rangers between 1998 and 2002. He has already said that Sunderland need up to half a dozen quality signings this summer to avoid another battle with relegation, and has received assurances from Short that funds will be made available for transfers. “Sunderland should have a team which is good enough to compete when the Premier League season begins,” Advocaat said on accepting the offer to return for another year. “The owner is willing to make resources available and it is nice to be able to build up a team now in preparation for the next season.”