Sunderland have managed to persuade Dick Advocaat to return to the club as their manager just a few weeks after he had given his resignation.
The former Netherlands and Ajax coach stated that he no longer had the age to remain as a Premier League or even a club coach. He intended to finish his managerial career at 70 years of age.Advocaat had just managed a stunning campaign with Sunderland. After being brought in as a replacement for Gus Poyet, he had only a couple of matches in order to turn around the campaign and retain the club’s Premier League status.
After seemingly having lost him as their manager, it is understood that the Sunderland officials did not take no for an answer. After long talks with the 69-year-old, they have agreed to sign him on a one-year contract. It has been speculated that finances could have played a major role in his return, butAdvocaat has stated that family and not finances were the reason behind his return to the Stadium of Light. Poyet managed to avoid relegation in similar circumstances before being sacked a year later.Advocaat will be hoping to do much better than his Uruguayan compatriot.
“The club kept calling.The owner of the club, Ellis Short, continued to haunt me with a request to stay.The players continued to look to contact me and tell me to stay.I have decided to sign a new deal.They think I’m still fit enough and personally I also feel fine. And it’s a wonderful club. Sunderland should have a team which is good when the Premier League begins.The owner is willing to make resources available and it’s nice to be able to build a team now in preparation (for next season),” said the Sunderland manager upon his return.