Dick Advocaat in talks to become new Sunderland manager

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

The well-travelled Dutchman, who has had two stints in charge of his national side and spent four years at Rangers, has been identified as the man to lead a late charge against relegation following Poyet’s dismissal yesterday.

The Black Cats are moving quickly in their pursuit of the 67-year-old, with Saturday’s trip to West Ham one of only nine games left to lift them away from the Barclays Premier League drop zone.