Dick Advocaat departs Sunderland

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has decided to leave the club with immediate effect after only 8 games into the 2015/16 season.

“I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me. This is a very special football club, with so many great people, but I feel it is the right time to do this – not for me, but for the club.

“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. I am thankful to the chairman for understanding my feelings and I remain on good terms with everyone at the club.

“I wish Ellis, Lee (Congerton), all of the staff, players and of course the supporters, who made me feel so welcome here, the very best of luck for the rest of the season. I have some wonderful memories to take with me and I hope I will return to see everybody again in the future.”

SEE MORE: Watch one of Dick Advocaat’s last interviews as Sunderland manager.

Now that Advocaat has left the club, after doing so well to keep Sunderland in the league last season, the attention turns to who will replace the manager at the Stadium of Light.

The current list of managers who are reportedly short-listed for the position are:

• Nigel Pearson,

• Sean Dyche,

• Sam Allardyce,

• Harry Redknapp.

But after a succession of managers before Advocaat that failed to impress (Gus Poyet and Paolo Di Canio), it’s more important than ever that not only does Sunderland owner Ellis Short make the right hire to keep the club up, but finds one who is able to do as Mauricio Pochettino is doing at Spurs where the manager will get rid of the dead wood and set up a system to succeed for the long term.

Who do you think should get the nod as manager? Share your opinions in the comments section below or on social media.