Manager Dick Advocaat is leaving his role at Sunderland after leading the club to Premier League survival this season. The Dutchman, aged 67, revealed that he will retire from football management. He had joined Sunderland in March, replacing Gus Poyet, and kept the club above the relegation zone.
"Sunderland has been one of the highlights of my career," he 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."
Saving the Black Cats was quite an emotional moment for Advocaat, he was in tears after securing Sunderland's Premier League safety with a goalless draw at Arsenal in the penultimate day of the season. Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: "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."
Bets are open on who will be the next Sunderland manager, here are the odds for the top five contenders at William Hill:
Sam Allardyce - 2.00 Paul Clement - 6.00 Steve McClaren - 9.00 Michael Laudrup - 11.00 Slavisa Jokanovic - 11.00
h34dhunt3r 8 years ago
After his fail job as a Serbian coach, I expected Dick Advocat to do nothing significant as a Sautempton manager. He made me belive that coaching our nacional team simply wasn't job that fitted him well, as he made huge success in England. He is pretty old now, and eventho football is in his blood, he should spend rest...
After his fail job as a Serbian coach, I expected Dick Advocat to do nothing significant as a Sautempton manager. He made me belive that coaching our nacional team simply wasn't job that fitted him well, as he made huge success in England. He is pretty old now, and eventho football is in his blood, he should spend rest of his life in retirement and enjoying his life. I love Sunderland as a team, so I am thankful that they lead them to another season in English elite. Good luck in future Dick, whatever you do.
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galata86 8 years ago
Sunderland in the last several seasons struggling to survive and still get away. Dick were very well led, and this can be a big mistake. They had a couple of bad coaches in the last few years. Dick had a lot of success in his career and his experience would mean a lot to them.
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sharpe 8 years ago
There was so many changes in the manager position at Sunderland for the last few years that I couldn't even count them. The team was stable in the last rounds of the Premier League, in fact Dick Advocaat do a great job to save the club from relegation, so It's not a good news for them that they will have to find a new...
There was so many changes in the manager position at Sunderland for the last few years that I couldn't even count them. The team was stable in the last rounds of the Premier League, in fact Dick Advocaat do a great job to save the club from relegation, so It's not a good news for them that they will have to find a new man for the job.
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
This was a difficult task for Dick Advocaat. He successfully finished this job. In last couple games, Sunderland was awesome. They played great football, and Advocaat must be proud on his footballers. Now, after the good job, it's time for him to retire. This was his last job, he did it well and the best option for him...
This was a difficult task for Dick Advocaat. He successfully finished this job. In last couple games, Sunderland was awesome. They played great football, and Advocaat must be proud on his footballers. Now, after the good job, it's time for him to retire. This was his last job, he did it well and the best option for him is to retire now.
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seculla 8 years ago
Dick Advocaat is very good manager, and I totally agree with Alexa, he made very big success with Sunderland, and maybe this is the best timing for retirement. On the other side I believe that he still have "strenght" and a lot of knowledge to lead Sunderland for the next season. But his life is his thing, and I wish him...
Dick Advocaat is very good manager, and I totally agree with Alexa, he made very big success with Sunderland, and maybe this is the best timing for retirement. On the other side I believe that he still have "strenght" and a lot of knowledge to lead Sunderland for the next season. But his life is his thing, and I wish him all the best in his "retirement years".
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
He made big success with black cats.It is smart for him to retire,He is old enough,he has earned enough money to live without worries.Sunderlan will have hard task to replace Dick.It would might smart tfor them to appoint Laudrup or Jokanovic as managers.Sam Allardyce is also great manager,especially for the teams that...
He made big success with black cats.It is smart for him to retire,He is old enough,he has earned enough money to live without worries.Sunderlan will have hard task to replace Dick.It would might smart tfor them to appoint Laudrup or Jokanovic as managers.Sam Allardyce is also great manager,especially for the teams that are having only one goal-to avoid relegation.
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