Dick Advocaat has done what many had expected and resigned from his managerial post at Sunderland, following a disappointing start to the season from the Black Cats. He has been joined in departure by assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic. The club are yet to confirm an interim replacement.
In justification of his decision, Advocaat said,
I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time turn things around – like we did last year.
His departure had been rumoured by tabloids since Friday, and even after an improved performance against West Ham, he informed the chairman of his resignation with immediate effect.
The 68-year-old Dutchman becomes the Premier League’s first managerial casualty of the season, only eight weeks in.
He joined Sunderland in March of this year and was successful in pulling off a great escape to keep Sunderland in the division. He managed the club for 19 games, however only managed to win four times during his reign.
It is believed that Advocaat will now retire, as he had planned to do at the end of last season with the Dutchman resisting any financial package when leaving the Sunderland hot seat, which in itself speaks highly of the man’s character.
