Sunderland appoint Dick Advocaat

Sunderland have appointed Dick Advocaat as their manager until the end of the season.

The move comes about following the sacking of Gus Poyet, who had a dreadful run with the Black Cats, leaving them perilously close to the drop zone.

According to The Mail, the former Netherlands boss will take over the managerial reign at the Wearside outfit this week, and will earn upto £500,000 if he manages to keep the Black Cats in the English top tier.

This is what the 67-year-old said on his appointment : "Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority and I can't wait to get started."

Advocaat stepped down from his role as Serbia national team manager last November.