Advocaat agrees to be Sunderland boss
Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat admits his side needs a major overhaul and says he will make his decision whether to stay at the club or not ‘as soon as possible’.
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat couldn’t help but shed some tears as his side drew with Arsenal and clinched survival in the Premier League.
Dick Advocaat has confirmed that he has agreed to become the permanent manager of Sunderland, days after announcing that he would retire.
Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf quoted Advocaat, 67, as saying he had changed his mind after chairman Ellis Short repeatedly contacted him.
The Dutchman joined the struggling Black Cats in mid-March until the end of the season, replacing the sacked Gus Poyet, and steered them to Premier League safety.
He recorded a derby win over Newcastle and further victories over Southampton and Everton before securing top-flight status with a goalless draw at Arsenal.
The Dutchman shed tears after his side’s achievement, but turned down an approach to become permanent manager and said he wanted to retire.
But former PSV Eindhoven and Rangers boss Advocaat has now agreed a one-year-deal at the Stadium of Light, and said: “The club kept calling. The owner would not let go.”
He said Short had agreed to make resources available to improve the team, adding: “It’s nice to build such a team, so I decided to sign a new deal. One year is currently sufficient.”
Advocaat said he felt “fit enough” to carry on at the Stadium of Light and praised Sunderland as “a wonderful club.”
A week ago, Sunderland had expressed regret that Advocaat had voiced a desire to end his career as a club boss.
Short said at the time: “Although I am extremely disappointed, I understand and absolutely respect his decision. In his brief time here he made a real impact and lifted the club with his experience and enthusiasm. We will always be grateful to him for what he achieved.”
Speaking about that decision, Advocaat had said: “At certain moments in your life you have to make a decision, and I am almost 68 years old now. A number of clubs contacted me, but the decision was always Sunderland or nobody.”
However, it was a decision which barely lasted a week as Short finally got his man.
The American said: “Dick’s credentials in football are top-class and we saw what an impact his vast knowledge and experience had on our team and the club as a whole in just two months.
“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.”
Sunderland had turned to alternative candidates after Advocaat’s initial response, but sporting director Lee Congerton revealed they never gave up hope of persuading him to think again.
“Dick was always our number one 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’m absolutely delighted that he has agreed to return.
“In just a short space of time, he has bought into the club wholeheartedly and understands exactly what we need now in order to move forward. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the season ahead, and that starts in earnest now.”
Advocaat has voiced the opinion that up to half a dozen quality signings would be required this summer to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles, and he has been assured that money will be spent this summer in a bid to address the deficiencies of the squad he inherited from Poyet.
But while there is hard work to be done before a ball is kicked in earnest, he is confident he has now made the right decision.
He said: “After a lot of discussions with Ellis and Lee, they convinced me that I am the right man for the club, it was a great feeling to be part of Sunderland in the last few months. The experience was something very special and after talking with Lee, Ellis and of course my family, we all agree it is the right decision.”
Advocaat’s decision went down well with captain John O’Shea, who is currently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
He told the club’s official website: “The boss came in last season and lifted everybody at the club – players, staff and fans.
“He got the best out of everybody, giving the team the confidence and belief that we could stay in the top flight. He brought a lot of experience and knowledge to the club.
“His CV speaks for itself and he has achieved so much in football so it’s great that he is at Sunderland. He knows the club, what is needed and how we can push onto the next level. The fans love him too, so I’m sure it will be a season that we can all look forward to.
“We all know there is a lot of work to be done over the summer and with new faces added during pre-season, we can all push on together. This is a positive time for everybody associated with SAFC.”
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