It has been a massive u-turn by Dick Advocaat, who just a week ago was ready to walk away from club management after managing to keep Sunderland in the top flight. But clearly the Black Cats were ready to do anything that they could to keep him, something which Sunderland fans will be delighted with after rumours that it was going to be Sam Allardyce to potentially come in and take over.
But news broke on Wednesday that the Dutchman had a change of heart and signed a one year contract to stay on Wearside with Sunderland. Following his rescue act of the Black Cats after coming into replace Gus Poyet at the club, he seemed set to make an emotional farewell from the game, leaving Sunderland on the hunt for a new boss.
But with Sunderland realising that they were unlikely to get anyone of his calibre and experience in, they have bent over backwards to keep the 67 year old at the club. This is all despite Advocaat promising his wife that he was going to leave the game. Advocaat has vast managerial experience including spells with Rangers, South Korea, Russia and Holland during his long career and he will have pulling power in attracting new players to Tyneside.
“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.”
Online betting site Bet365 have gone 9/2 that Advocaat leads Sunderland to a top-half finish and 9/4 that they suffer relegation. The bookmaker have priced them up at 6/5 to finish above bitter rivals Newcastle in next season’s Premier League.
