Premier League strugglers Sunderland have appointed nomad Dutch coach Dick Advocaat as manager on Monday following the sacking of erstwhile manager Gustavo Poyet.

Poyet was shown the door at the Stadium of Light days after the Black Cats suffered a 4-0 humiliation at home to Aston Villa; which had not scored in about 10 hours of football away from home before Sunday’s match.

Advocaat has nine matches to save Sunderland from the drop

Speaking after his appointment, 67-year old Advocaat stated “Sunderland is a big club, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. We must now concentrate on Saturday at (West Ham) as a priority, and I can’t wait to get started.”

On his part, Sunderland’s American owner Ellis Short stated “Dick has an incredible CV and vast experience of managing at the very highest level. We have one aim only now, to climb the table, and everyone is fully focused on the task ahead.”

Advocaat previously won league titles at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, Scottish club Rangers and in Russia with Zenit St. Petersburg.

The General – as he is also known as – has also managed the national teams of the Netherlands (twice), United Arab Emirates, Russia, Belgium, South Korea and, most recently, Serbia.

His appointment at Sunderland ensures the Wearside club will end a fourth straight season with a manager different from the one it started with.

The Black Cats currently lie just a point above the relegation zone with nine matches left to play this season.