Dick Advocaat has rejected the opportunity to become permanent head coach at Sunderland.

Dick Advocaat was travelling to Sunderland last night to discuss replacing Gus Poyet as the club’s manager.

Gus Poyet has been sacked by Sunderland, with just nine games of their faltering Barclays Premier League season left.

Against all odds, Gus Poyet may be about to pull off one of the Premier League’s greatest escapes.