Advocaat: I cannot say whether I will stay

Dick Advoccat has refused to confirm whether he will be staying at Sunderland amid strong speculation that he had decided to leave after the home game against West Ham.

Advocaat, 68, was named Sunderland boss on a short-term deal in March and guided the club to Premier League safety.

The Dutchman had intended to retire at the end of last season but was persuaded to sign a one-year contract to lead the club into the 2015-16 campaign.

However, after taking just two points from their opening seven league games, reports emerged prior to Saturday’s 2-2 draw with West Ham that Advocaat had decided it would be his last match in charge.

Asked about his future after the game, he told the BBC: “I don’t want to give an answer. Today I am the manager. What will happen in the next weeks, months, I cannot say.”

And when questioned on whether he would be in charge for Sunderland’s next game at West Brom on Oct. 17, he said: “I cannot say that. The newspapers have to have something to write, otherwise there is nothing in the newspapers.”

Asked further if he had made a decision over his future, he said: “Yes, I have made a decision.

“I don’t like that I don’t want to discuss my own future, you will hear it this way or the other way. Let’s wait and see.”

Advocaat had tears in his eyes when Jeremain Lens struck to make it 2-0 after just 22 minutes, with Steven Fletcher having opened the scoring against West Ham.

But the Londoners fought back for a draw thanks to Carl Jenkinson and Dimitri Payet.

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