http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2015/may/advocaat-departs Advocaat departs Published: 27 May, 2015 by Stuart Vose Dutchman not to continue as head coach. Sunderland AFC can confirm that Dick Advocaat has advised the club that he will not continue in the role of head coach. The 67-year-old Dutchman informed the club of his decision this evening, stating that he no longer wished to continue a career in club management. Sunderland AFC chairman Ellis Short said: “Although I am extremely disappointed, I understand and absolutely respect his decision. In his brief time here he made a real impact and lifted the club with his experience and enthusiasm. We will always be grateful to him for what he achieved.” Speaking about his decision, Dick Advocaat said: “At certain moments in your life you have to make a decision and I am almost 68 years old now. A number of clubs contacted me but the decision was always Sunderland or nobody. “I would like to thank the chairman, Lee, the staff and of course the fans. We gave everything in our time there and achieved what we set out to. Sunderland has been one of the highlights of my career.” Sunderland AFC sporting director Lee Congerton added: “I know it was a tough decision for Dick to make but he felt that he couldn’t commit to the intense rigours of club management on a longer-term basis and we respect his honesty. “In his short time here he was fantastic to work with. He had and will continue to have the utmost respect of everyone here at Sunderland. “I would like to sincerely thank him, along with his assistant Bert van Lingen and coach Zeljko Petrovic for the hard work and dedication they showed in the last two months and they leave with the very best wishes of everyone at the club for their achievements.”
Awful news this. Hope it doesn't mean that Short didn't give him the assurances of investment that he said he needed.
That was my first thought... I read his earlier interviews along the lines of "if they give me proper backing I'll stay"
Gutted by this news. I, along with all Sunderland fans, will always be grateful to Advocaat for what he's done for the club. In a way it's nice for a manager to leave us on a high for a chance, rather than with a sacking, but I would have loved him to stay for another year and stabilise us. My first (realistic) choice now would have been Allardyce but it sounds like he wants a break from the game now too. Reckon we'll end up with either McLaren or that Serbian fella from Watford. I'm a bit worried that McClaren will be traumatised by his ultimate failure with Derby, but we'll have to wait and see I guess.
The other thing is the wife of course but I feel he'd have been able to talk her around if he'd been desperate for it. Part of me is pleased. He's gone before he turns into a villain unlike MoN, Gus and Paolo. All came in to fight fires, all left while rome burnt.
Same here but I suppose it was always a `glass half full` kind of thing. Still, he can go out on a high and enjoy his retirement with thanks for what he achieved. Over to Lee Congerton now to find us another.
Love the implication kicking about it's the clubs doing. We all knew full well that his plans were to retire and he'd promised his wife. We should maybe stick to facts instead being depressive ****ing doom merchants. I waiting for the 'We are Sunderland' bollocks followed by more doom.
We do need experience - we have done "bright young things" and it ends in tears.... We tried foreign inexperienced in Di Canio perhaps we need foreign experienced or Premier experienced,but not too exotic. Dimatteo? Moyes? not Mclaren..... As an aside I believe the club will be better for even a short spell of Advocaat's stewardship and I hope he may put in an appearance next season as a guest of honour.
Such a shame. No idea who will be next but Dick was a surprise choice, I don't think anybody had guessed it would be him, so maybe another big surprise coming up?
At least he is a Sunderland manager that walks away with his head held high and the thanks of the fans. Cheers Dick. You will be a big miss. It was short but it was sweet.
