Dick Advocaat set to quit Sunderland even if they beat West Ham for first Premier League win of the season- Dick Advocaat has indicated to staff that he is ready to leave Sunderland
- The Dutchman has been in charge of the Black Cats for just seven months
- Advocaat was set to quit as manager if Sunderland lost to West Ham
- But the 68-year-old is now set to return to Holland regardless of the result
- Burnley boss Sean Dyche and Nigel Pearson in the running to take charge
Dick Advocaat is set to quit as head coach of Sunderland – regardless of the outcome of Saturday's match at home to West Ham.Sportsmail revealed on Friday that the 68-year-old was considering his future after becoming disillusioned following a winless start which sees his side bottom of the Premier League.
But we now understand Advocaat has indicated to staff that he is ready to end his seven-month association with the Black Cats – even a win against the Hammers is unlikely to persuade him to stay.Club sources say that a meal with his backroom team this week had a 'farewell feel' to it and it is thought Advocaat has already arranged for flowers to be given to some support staff.It is the talk of the Academy of Light training ground that the Dutchman is set to leave and, while the players have not formally been told, they fully expect to have a new manager in the coming weeks.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche and former Leicester City chief Nigel Pearson are two of the names in the frame.
Advocaat's press conference on Friday descended into farce when he first appeared to deny the story about him quitting, before refusing to commit his future to the club and then saying 'things can change in a day'.
He eventually walked out after questions on the subject continued.
However, he did say: 'I always think in facts. The fact is it is now Friday and I am manager of Sunderland.'But what will happen on Sunday, or a week after Sunday, or nine months after Sunday. Then I will tell you the real story.'When I think it is time to do something then I will do so.' He added: 'The fact is you can be ill tomorrow. Why do you always talk about "if, if, if".
The fact is I am here and tomorrow I am here.
'But what happens after that – it is the same for all managers – things can change in a day, in a week, in a month, in nine months.'
If Advocaat does go it will leave owner Ellis Short searching for his fifth manager in two-and-a-half years and the club in complete disarray.Instead of starting afresh during the summer, Short and sporting director Lee Congerton persuaded the former Holland boss to return after he masterminded their escape from relegation last season.
However, there was tension between Short and Advocaat throughout the close season over the amount of money invested and the quality of players being brought in.
It now appears that Advocaat has had enough and, with the fear of a first relegation in 28 years of management, will return to Holland during the international break.
The search for a new boss will then begin with Dyche the leading candidate having been top of their list before Advocaat's U-turn in June.But the immediate availability of Pearson - and no compensation payment - will appeal to the club following his sacking at Leicester.Both managers have Premier League experience and, while a foreign boss has not been ruled out, there is a feeling that mistakes have been learned following the disastrous reigns of Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet.
Advocaat, however, will leave with the best wishes of the club and an acceptance that both parties should have agreed to go their separate ways at the end of last season.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3257905/Dick-Advocaat-set-quit-Sunderland-beat-West-Ham-Premier-League-win-season.html#ixzz3nUp29Fsd
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