Saturday 3 October 2015 17:46, UK
Dick Advocaat is considering his future as Sunderland manager regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s match with West Ham, Sky sources understand.
The Dutchman, who replaced Gus Poyet in the dugout at the Stadium of Light in March, kept the Black Cats in the Premier League last season and reversed his decision to retire in the summer to continue his reign in charge of the club.
Advocaat, 68, has been unable to maintain the momentum gained from last season's dramatic survival bid and his Sunderland side are yet to win this campaign, despite him being backed in the transfer market this summer by chairman Ellis Short.
Sunderland sit bottom of the Premier League with just two points from seven games, and have suffered defeats to Leicester, Norwich, Bournemouth, Tottenham and Manchester United.
Ahead of the clash with West Ham, Advocaat declined an invitation to comment on his future at his pre-match press conference.
"I always think in facts and the fact is it is now Friday and I am the manager of Sunderland, and I am the manager of Sunderland tomorrow as well," he said.
"What will happen on Sunday or a week on Sunday or nine months after Sunday, then I will tell you real story, but now I'm still here and nothing has changed."
Advocaat was then pushed to clarify his position but would not confirm he will still be in charge next week, saying: "The fact is I am here and tomorrow I am here, but what happens after that is the same as for all the managers - everything can change in a day or a week or nine months."
When pressed to answer further questions on his future with the written media, Advocaat went on to cut short his press duties.
