Dick Advocaat has quit his role as Sunderland head coach with immediate effect, the club have
announced. The Dutchman had signed a new
deal with the Black Cats in the
summer after saving them from
relegation to the Championship last
season. He has been unable to build on this
though and a 2-2 draw with West
Ham, after his men had led 2-0, was
the last straw for the 68-year-old. The result leaves Sunderland second
from bottom, ahead of rivals
Newcastle on goal difference, and
without a win in eight games. Advocaat gave the following
statement on the club’s official
website: “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. “I wish Ellis, 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.” Sunderland AFC chairman Ellis Short
said: “I am truly saddened by Dick’s
decision, but I respect him for his
honesty and for doing what he feels
is right for the club. "He is a man of integrity and a true
football person. He was hugely
respectful of the club in taking this
decision and he acted 100% in our
best interests. It is also testament to
his character that he has forgone any kind of a financial settlement,
something which is very unusual in
football. “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.” Assistant head coach Zeljko Petrovic has also left the club.