Dick Advocaat leaves Sunderland after helping Black Cats avoid relegation

Sunderland have confirmed their manager Dick Advocaat has left the club after helping it avoid relegation.

He took the role at the Stadium of Light in March 2015 after the Black Cats showed the exit door to their former manager Gus Poyet. He won his first game against Sunderland's arch rivals Newcastle United.

They finished 16<sup>th in the table and after guiding Sunderland to safety, the Dutchman has decided to end his time with the English club.

A statement on Sunderland's official website read: "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."

Advocaat revealed that several clubs were interested in landing him before he took the Sunderland job. However, he turned down the offers to become the manager at the Stadium of Light.

"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," Advocaat said.

"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."