Sunderland to cast the net wide in search for Dick Advocaat’s successor

The 68-year-old blamed a lack of spending power for the north east team’s slide to second from bottom in the English Premier League.

Bookmakers’ favourite Sam Allardyce has not ruled out a return to Sunderland as Dick Advocaat’s successor – but the job has come up at a bad time.

The veteran manager kept the Black Cats in the Premier League last season, and made a decision to remain on Wearside despite plans to retire – but it now looks like that will be the next step for Advocaat having resigned after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with West Ham United.

Blame for Sunderland’s situation must also lie with Short, who in his desperate attempt to keep the club in the top flight has sacrificed long-term goals.

“No, no, no. Sunderland is in my view a very lovely club and I would not have missed it for anything”.

“Even on Saturday, there were three or four loud chants for me”.

Big Sam, who was once a contender for the job of England manager, spent an unsuccessful eight months in charge of Sunderland’s fierce rivals Newcastle and his appointment would be greeted with much disgruntlement among the Sunderland fans.

“I saw on the touchline how energetic he is, but also amusing – we had a lot of fun out there – but only he knows what he feels inside”.

“It’s nothing to do with me”.

Advocaat’s departure has created a vacancy Sunderland need to fill as quickly as possible, with first team coach Paul Bracewell and senior professional development coach Robbie Stockdale now looking after those players not away on global duty.

Advocaat appeared to recognise the problems, as he told Studio Voetbal: “Our squad was simply not good enough”.

The search for a replacement – which is perhaps further complicated by the fact that sporting director Lee Congerton is understood to be working his period of notice – is under way, although a definitive list of potential targets is yet to be drawn up.