SPORTS

 

Dick Advocaat Named Sunderland Manager

                                                                                                                                                         

Another Dutch manager is set to descend upon the Premier League with the confirmation Sunderland have hired Dick Advocaat until the end of the season.The Black Cats confirmed Advocaat's arrival
 Advocaat revealed why he joined the side: "Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority and I can't wait to get started," he told said, as reported by Charles Perrin of the Express. Sunderland chairman Ellis Short is excited to be working with the veteran, per Perrin: "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,                                              Advocaat brings over 30 years of managerial experience to the Stadium of Light, having led teams such as PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, Borussia Monchengladbach and Zenit Saint Petersburg, where he won the 2008 UEFA Cup. He is also a vastly experienced international boss, having completed spells with his native Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Russia and most recently Serbia.
The 67-year-old becomes the third Dutch manager to join the Premier League this season, with Manchester United's Louis van Gaal and Southampton's Ronald Koeman currently working through their first campaigns in England.
Advocaat joins Sunderland in 17th place, one point outside the relegation zone. He has nine games to improve upon Gus Poyet's total of 26 points, ensuring he needs to make an instant impact if the north-east club are to escape the drop.Oliver Kay of The Times suggests this will be a different challenge for the man who has captured league titles in the Netherlands, Scotland and RussiaAdvocaat's first task will be to prepare Sunderland for the upcoming match away at West Ham. This is undoubtedly a tricky opening test, but things aren't going to get any easier. Advocaat's men face local rivals Newcastle during his first home fixture on April 5, an encounter in which his early momentum will be defined. Matches away at Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea also await.
Sunderland are currently fourth favourites for relegation, according to Oddschecker.com. Advocaat will need to call on all of his experience and fighting spirit to boost the team's confidence after their 4-0 loss to Aston Villa, starting with a gutsy showing at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.