Sam Allardyce has been appointed as the new manager of Sunderland, after signing a two-year deal at the Premier League strugglers.
The 60-year-old replaces Dick Advocaat in the dugout at the Stadium of Light, having agreed to return to the North East, where he will have full control of transfer negotiations.
Allardyce was initially reluctant to take the managerial position at the Black Cats, who sit bottom of the table in the top-flight, without a win to their name so far this season.
Sunderland’s American owner, Ellis Short was keen to appoint Allardyce, who had been out of work since May, having left West Ham United by mutual consent.
Speaking on the deal, Short told the club’s official website: “I am very pleased to welcome Sam to our football club.
“Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job. He has vast experience of managing in the Premier League and an understanding first-hand of the north east and the passion of our fans, which will stand him in great stead.
His first game in charge of Sunderland will be an away trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday 17th October, before a home derby fixture against his former employers, Newcastle United, the following weekend.
Allardyce’s previous stint in the North East ended unhappily for the Dudley-native, when he spent just eight-months at St James’ Park, leaving in January 2008.
