 |
| Burnley manager Sean Dyche has emerged as the favourite to become Sunderland manager |
DICK ADVOCAAT quit as Sunderland manager yesterday and Burnley's Sean Dyche is the man the club want to replace him.
Advocaat tore up his contract, having doubted his own prospects of securing Premier League survival despite masterminding last season's great escape.
The 68-year-old flew home to Holland on a private jet within hours of Saturday's 2-2 draw against West Ham having seen Sunderland throw away a two-goal lead.
It is Dyche who chairman Ellis Short sees as the man who can save Sunderland from relegation.
The 44-year-old was approached in the close-season when it looked as if Advocaat would not return to Wearside only to change his mind and accept a 12 month deal.
Dyche's reputation was not damaged when Burnley went down in May and they are in a play-off spot in the Championship.
With Sam Allardyce and Patrick Vieira having both indicated they are not keen to succeed the Dutchman, Dyche heads the short-list. Nigel Pearson, out of work since leaving Leicester, is also a candidate.
 |
| Dick Advocaat resigned from his post as Sunderland manager following a 2-2 draw with West Ham |
Sunderland's next game is away to West Brom on Saturday week before the Tyne-Wear derby with Newcastle at the Stadium of Light.
Incredibly, the new manager will follow in the footsteps of both Advocaat and Gus Poyet whose first home games were against bitter rivals Newcastle, currently the only team keeping Sunderland off the foot of the table.
He leaves on good terms with Short, refusing to accept any settlement from the club but had become increasingly frustrated at the American's failure to release the funds he believed were required to banish relegation fears.
Advocaat is understood to have made his decision in the wake of the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United nine days ago but waited until the international break to confirm his departure.
 |
| Black Cats chairman Ellis Short is now looking to appoint his fifth manager in four years |
He said: "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."
Short is now looking to appoint his fifth manager since taking over from Niall Quinn four years ago this month.
 |
| Steve Bruce was the last Black Cats manager that started and finished a season |
Sunderland have not ended a campaign with the same manager they started with since Steve Bruce was in charge in 2011.
After Roy Keane led them to promotion nine years ago, Bruce, Martin O'Neill, Paolo Di Canio, Poyet and Advocaat have all been embroiled in survival battles.
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 per cent 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."
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus