Advocaat confirms imminent Sunderland appointment

The veteran Dutch coach is on the verge of being named as Gus Poyet's successor after the Uruguayan was sacked on Monday, with his first game in charge being a trip to West Ham.

Dick Advocaat will replace Gus Poyet after confirming he has signed a short-term deal to manage relegation-threatened Sunderland until the end of the season.

Advocaat revealed the news to Dutch football magazine Voetbal International on Monday, just hours after Poyet was relieved of his duties following Sunderland's 4-0 Premier League drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa at the weekend.

The 67-year-old Dutchman, who spent four months as head coach of the Serbia national team last year, toldVI: "I am now in a dark hotel, but soon I'll be working in the Stadium of Light."

Advocaat's move to Sunderland marks his first role in the Premier League, having spent time in the Netherlands, Germany and Scotland.

The well-travelled Dutchman is tasked with preserving Sunderland's top-flight status, with the embattled club just one point above the relegation zone after 29 matches, and is set to take charge of his first match in Saturday's trip to West ham.

"This is something I always wanted to do, the Premier League. The Premier League is a phenomenal competition," Advocaat told AD Sportwereld.

"As a manager, that is where you want to work, it has such a pulling power. 

"Saturday, West Ham awaits. And then there's the international break. And then – the derby with Newcastle United. That is really something to look forward to because, believe me, this is just a very big club."