The Black Cats lose their Dick…again
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has left his role at the club after a poor start to the season.
Sunderland sit second bottom in the Premier League table with just three points to their name and still without a win.
Sky Sports News HQ have announced that the 68-year old Dutchman has said goodbye to the players of the Sunderland squad and flown to his native Netherlands.
Advocaat was put in temporary charge of the North East club during the back end of the last campaign and saved them from relegation, but his decision to stay on this term has not gone to plan.
‘This is a very special football club’
When speaking to the official club website, Advocaat said: “I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me. This is a very special football club, with so many great people, but I feel it is the right time to do this, not for me, but for the club.”
“I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time turn things around, like we did last year. I am thankful to the chairman for understanding my feelings and I remain on good terms with everyone at the club,” added the former Zenit St. Petersburg boss.
“I wish Ellis Short, Lee Congerton, all of the staff, players and of course the supporters, who made me feel so welcome here, the very best of luck for the rest of the season. I have some wonderful memories to take with me and I hope I will return to see everybody again in the future.”
Advocaat’s assistant coach Zeljko Petrovic has also left the club, as the board of directors begin the search for a replacement.
The early favourites for the job are Burnley’s Sean Dyche and the currently unemployed Sam Allardyce.
