Sunderland appoint Sam Allardyce as new manager on two-year deal

The Black Cats have hired Sam Allardyce as manager for a two-year contract.

Dick Advocaat left Sunderland on Sunday, with the Black Cats second-bottom in the Premier League and winless in their first eight matches.

Allardyce, 60, has been out of management since departing West Ham at the end of last season.

“Of course, it’s a demanding job. But I hope to be able to help bring the stability and success that everyone desires,” Allardyce stated.

“I’m looking forward to working with the players and of course I will be relying on the help of the Sunderland supporters.”

Allardyce played for Sunderland from 1980 to 1981 and is the first person to manage both the Black Cats and their rivals Newcastle.

His first home game at the Stadium of Light will be against Newcastle on October 25, with an away trip to West Brom on October 17.

Sunderland owner Ellis Short believes Allardyce,

who coached Newcastle from May 2007 to January 2008, was the best candidate for the post.

“Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job,” Short stated.

“He has vast experience of managing in the Premier League and an understanding first-hand of the north-east and the passion of our fans,

which will stand him in great stead.”

“Sam understood the importance of this job.”

Short also said that the former Blackburn and Bolton manager “had to be persuaded to join us” was a “misconception”.

“This was a very popular job, proactively sought after by a large number of managers –

contrary to much of what has been portrayed,” Short stated.

“Sam was such an obvious option, which made the process easier.

“From the very beginning,

Sam understood the importance of this job and showed great enthusiasm for the role and a desire to be part of moving this club forward.”

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