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Giaccherini hails Advocaat
Published: 04 June, 2015
by Oscar Chamberlain
Italian international praises head coach.
Emanuele Giaccherini believes Dick Advocaat played a ‘fundamental’ role in keeping Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League.
Advocaat initially turned down the opportunity to remain at the club following the end of the 2014-15 season, but on Thursday the Dutchman signed a one-year deal on Wearside.
And Giaccherini, who is currently away with Italy as Antonio Conte’s side continue their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, hailed the 67-year-old’s impact.
“He was fundamental to everything we achieved last year.
“When he arrived he brought experience and he knew what we needed to survive; he gave us what he needed to stay in the Barclays Premier League.”
He continued: “I knew a lot about him because of his record, it’s one of the best in the world. I had never met him as a person but I knew how good it would be to have him.
“I was recovering in Italy but I came back two weeks after he arrived. He called me into his office and was sensational with me, I spoke with him and he was so impressive.
"He is a very, very good manager.”