SUNDERLAND reportedly canvassed opinion from leading figures in football before appointing Dick Advocaat as caretaker boss. Sunderland confirmed former Rangers manager Advocaat as Gus Poyet's replacement this morning. The Dutchman has been placed in charge until the end of the season with a brief of keeping the club in the Premier League. And according to The Times, Sunderland director of football Lee Congerton spoke with legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Real Madrid chief Carlo Ancelotti before opting for 'firefighter' Advocaat. It is also claimed the 67-year-old was recommended to Congerton by Frank Arnesen, his mentor and close friend who enjoyed spells as sporting director at Tottenham and Chelsea Arneson worked with Advocaat for four years at PSV Eindhoven, where they won the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup. West Ham's Sam Allardyce has been tipped to take over from Advocaat this summer, while Real Madrid coach Paul Clement and Derby's Steve McClaren have also been linked with the job - although Advocaat is favourite for the post on a permanent basis. Advocaat said: "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." Sunderland owner Ellis Short added: "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."
Starting to think maybe we've been a bit harsh on Lee and he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Seems well connected and I think Poyet will have made his job impossible that last year or so.
Agreed, reckon he spat his dummy out coz he didnt get borini and blamed congers by the sounds of it, moses and lescott would have added to our squad deffo as would alberweild
Did i get mixed up with richards and lescott there or have i read both somewhere, its all coming out now the ****ing chipmonk
I'll give Fergie a knock after my dinner, let him know you've volunteered to pat his back first in the scenario where Sunderland avoid relegation!
