Dick Advocaat set to splash the cash as Sunderland eye top 10 in Premier League

New Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has been promised a sizable transfer kitty as the club aims for the Premier League’s top half
Advocaat managed to save Sunderland from relegation last season and has now agreed to stay on for another year
He had initially refused the club’s offer but changed his mind
The Dutchman will look to make ambitious signings to ensure Sunderland are no longer fighting the drop in future seasons
Feyenoord and Holland midfielder Jordy Clasie is among the Black Cats’ transfer targets this summer

Published:
21:30 GMT, 4 June 2015

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Updated:
22:20 GMT, 4 June 2015

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Dick Advocaat will be given the financial backing to turn Sunderland into a top-10 Premier League club after agreeing to return as head coach.

Black Cats owner Ellis Short and sporting director Lee Congerton have remained in contact with the 67-year-old since he told them he intended to retire from club management last week.

But Advocaat has gone back on that decision and, having signed a one-year deal, will now return to Wearside to begin work on reshaping a squad which has fought relegation for the past three seasons.

Dick Advocaat helped Sunderland to avoid relegation last season and will now stay at the club

The Dutch boss – who masterminded the club’s survival during his nine-game stay at the end of the last campaign – has been given assurances that significant funds will be made available this summer.

Even before he announced his intention to quit the club, Advocaat had spoken at length about his vision for improvement at the Stadium of Light, even targeting a return to European football for the first time in more than 40 years.

Short was sold on his ideas and was upset when he told them he no longer wanted to continue in the role.

The American billionaire and Congerton set about persuading him otherwise and have spent the past week in dialogue with the former Rangers manager.

It leaves Advocaat in a position of strength and he will demand that transfer funds are readily available.

Feyenoord and Holland midfielder Jordy Clasie is one ambitious target who has been mentioned, but he could favour a move to Southampton. Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk has been watched on several occasions already, while Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford could emerge as a loan target.

Advocaat and Congerton will now draft a list of names to pursue with Short having promised to back them with the cash.

Feyenoord’s Jordy Clasie (left) with Holland team-mates Robin van Persie (centre) and Gregory van der Wiel

Highly-rated Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk (centre) is a potential transfer target for Sunderland this summer

Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford, who spent last season on loan at MIddlesbrough, is another possibility

And the Sunderland boss said: ‘The club kept calling me – the owner would not let go.

‘After a lot of discussions, they convinced me that I am the right man for the club.

‘It was a great feeling to be part of Sunderland in the last few months, the experience was something very special and after talking with Lee, Ellis and of course my family, we all agree it is the right decision.

‘They think I’m still fit enough and personally I also feel fine. And it is a wonderful club.’ Short says he is ‘thrilled’ that Advocaat has performed the U-turn, while Congerton added: ‘Dick was always our number one choice and we were determined we weren’t going to take “no” for an answer.

‘I have been in constant contact with him over the last two weeks and I’m absolutely delighted that he has agreed to return.

‘In just a short space of time he has bought into the club wholeheartedly and understands exactly what we need now in order to move forward. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for the season ahead and that starts in earnest now.’