After days, even weeks of rumours, the worst kept secret in football was finally announced. It was confirmed yesterday that Dick Advocaat had left his role as Head Coach of Sunderland. He has left just eight games into the Premier League season and also after seeing Sunderland play arguably the best they have this season in their (and his) last game against West Ham United.
Dick Advocaat Leaves Sunderland
Dick Advocaat took over the hot seat at Sunderland on a temporary basis near the end of last season with the job description being simply to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League. He achieved this, masterminding another great escape in Sunderland’s history. His tears at the end of the Arsenal game after securing Sunderland’s Premier League status will live long in the memory of every Sunderland fan. It looked increasingly likely that he would step aside and retire from club football at the end of last season, however he was persuaded by both the club and its fans to return on a full time basis, against the hopes of his wife! The deal he signed though was for only one year.
After a summer of frustration of not getting the players he wanted, even though the club did sign eight players including the likes of Fabio Borini, Jeremain Lens and Younes Kaboul, the team started the season poorly and are once again on a winless streak at the beginning of a Premier League season.
On leaving Sunderland Advocaat had this to say: “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.” (source safc.com)
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: “I want to place on record my sincere thanks to Dick. He will be remembered with great affection by everyone at Sunderland and there will always be a warm welcome for him here at the Stadium of Light. While this isn’t a situation any of us envisaged being in, what is important now is that we regroup quickly and focus on the rest of the season.” (source safc.com)
Rumours of him being unsettled at the club had been rife for quite some time especially where transfers were concerned. He leaves Sunderland having saved them from relegation and with a club and its fans firmly in his heart. Sunderland fans will remember him fondly and many will be saddened that it didn’t work out for him at the Stadium of Light. Once again a new chapter is about to begin at Sunderland and the question once again will be, who’s next?
