Persistence pays as Dick Advocaat finally accepts Sunderland job

Dick Advocaat changed his mind over returning to Sunderland after owner Ellis Short refused to leave him alone.

The 67-year-old reluctantly turned down the offer of an extended stay on Wearside days after the Barclays Premier League season drew to a close after his successful mission to preserve the Black Cats’ top-flight status.

However, Texan businessman Short simply would not accept no for an answer and ultimately his persistence paid off.

Advocaat, who signed a one-year deal on Wednesday, told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “The club kept calling. The owner would not let go. “They think I’m still fit enough and personally, I also feel that I am still fine. And it’s a wonderful club.”

The former Holland boss was drafted in to replace Gus Poyet in March with the club in entrenched in a second successive fight for Premier League survival, and with only nine games in which to turn things around. But victory over derby rivals Newcastle in his second match set the ball rolling and in total his team collected 12 from a possible 27 points, getting across the finishing line with a game to spare after a 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

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