AN emotional Dick Advocaat has paid tribute to everyone at Sunderland after earning the result at Champions League bound Arsenal which preserved top-flight status.

Advocaat was in tears after the final whistle at the Emirates following the Black Cats’ goalless draw which earned them the point needed to ensure Premier League football will remain on Wearside for a further year.

And – claiming he will not make a decision on his future until after Sunday’s final game at Chelsea – the Dutchman said: “We said straight from the beginning that it's not about me, it's about everybody involved, from the chairman to the people who work in the office, and the team.

“The easiest way to work with the team is by telling them what they have to do, and we started that from 'day one', and they believed in that. Nobody was expecting that we would do it here, against a great team on a great pitch.

“But if you can do it on your own, like we did, that gives me a special feeling. I’m not (often in tears after a game) but maybe this was a special reason.”

Sunderland, who have lost just two of the eight matches under him, can now plan for a ninth consecutive campaign in the Premier League.

Advocaat added: “Well nobody expected that. We had nine games, five away including Chelsea and Arsenal. Nobody expected us to do it, but the team did it, together.

“This is the moment for Sunderland FC to do something. You cannot buy for £40m eight players. You have to try to get more quality in your squad, more competition. That's how you make the team stronger.”