Dick Advocaat: Someone needs to come in who knows they’re building a team

Advocaat brought the curtain down on his short-term stint in charge of Sunderland in yesterday’s 3-1 defeat at Chelsea, as the Black Cats finished the campaign in 16th spot.

The 67-year-old has now returned to his native Holland for discussions with his family over whether to continue his decorated managerial career, or go ahead with his original plan to retire this summer.

Sunderland expect to discover Advocaat’s decision in the next 72 hours.

Yet if Advocaat does choose to leave the club, he says the man who replaces him needs to have a clear vision of how to build a team capable of ending Sunderland’s cycle of struggling for Premier League survival.

“If, IF, I’m not coming, someone needs to come in who knows they’re building a team,” said Advocaat. “They must have a clear idea of what they’re doing, a philosophy.

“He must work like I have on a lot of movement and that kind of thing.”

Sunderland have already held several rounds of discussions with Advocaat, and there were further talks after the conclusion of proceedings at Stamford Bridge.

“They have already offered me two or three years, but I have to be honest with myself and everybody what I will do for the future,” said Advocaat.