Sunderland Manager Search: Dick Advocaat Confirmed as Gus Poyet's Replacement

Sunderland have confirmed the appointment of Dick Advocaat as head coach on a contract that will run until the of the season, following Monday's sacking of Gus Poyet.

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Advocaat Appointed Black Cats Boss

Tuesday, March 17

The former Rangers boss brings massive amounts of experience to the role and in a statement on the club’s official website, admitted he is eager to get going.

“Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead,” said Advocaat. “We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority and I can’t wait to get started.”

In the same statement, chairman Ellis Short paid tribute to the credentials of the club’s new manager:

"

Dick has an incredible CV and vast experience of managing at the very highest level.

We have one aim only now - to climb the table and everyone is fully focused on the task ahead of us.

"

Bethany Clarke/Getty Images

Following on from a tactician as inexperienced as Poyet, Advocaat represents an appointment of quite the opposite in terms of credentials, having started his management career in 1980. The 67-year-old's last role was managing the Serbia national team.

Advocaat now faces a major task in reversing the club's current slump, having claimed just two wins in their last 12 outings.  

Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

The Dutchman is among the most experienced managers in world football, however, and despite ending his tenure with Serbia on a sour note, he could be a managerial coup for the Premier League outfit.