Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat refuses to rule out that he's leaving club

Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat has revealed he has made a decision over his future – but refused to say what it is.

The 68-year-old attended his pre-match press conference after Saturday's 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with West Ham at the Stadium of Light, which was played out amid speculation that it was his final game in charge.

However, asked if he could confirm he would still be in post beyond this weekend, he replied: "No, I can't say that."

Asked further if he had made a decision over his future, he said: "Yes, I have made a decision.

"I don't like that I don't want to discuss my own future, you will hear it this way or the other way. Let's wait and see."

Advocaat is expected to stand down as head coach over the weekend, but opposite number Slaven Bilic urged him to stay as the pair embraced on the final whistle.

He said: "I told him to stay, of course I did.

"First of all, I feel sorry for all the managers. On the one hand, it's a great job – we wouldn't do it if it wasn't – but on the other hand, the pressure that all the managers are under, it's enormous, media, agents, fans board, everything, so firstly I have sympathy.

"And secondly I know Dick and I'm a big admirer. If he goes, the Premier league would miss him. He is a man of knowledge, experience, six international teams – this is unbelievable – so that's what I told him.

"I would really like him to stay because I saw him on the touchline with me and he is full of energy. It would be a shame if he goes, and I really hope that he stays."

Advocaat was moved to tears as his side, who went into the game without a league win in their opening seven games of the season, raced into a 2-0 lead through Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens, who was later sent off for a second bookable offence.

But Carl Jenkinson pulled one back in first-half stoppage time and, after Lens' departure, Dimitri Payet snatched a point.

SEE MORE: Read Sunderland’s season preview.

Advocaat said: "The way we played today was very, very positive for everybody. There was not a player who was not in the game.

"We showed the commitment that you need in football defensively, but also when we had the ball. It was a joy to watch from the side and also for the crowd.

"Overall, I am very proud of what they showed today, the commitment was really great."

Bilic was pleased with the Hammers' fightback, but bemoaned their first-half frailty.

He said: "When you are 2-0 down with them having to chances to score the third one, to be fair you have got to be happy with a point.

"But on the other hand, we can't afford to make those kind of mistakes or sloppy starts or whatever, especially here in the Premier League."