SUNDERLAND have confirmed that Dick Advocaat has stepped down as head coach at the Stadium of Light.

Advocaat has decided the time was right to walk away after being unable to steer the Black Cats to a first Premier League win from eight games this season.

Speculation has intensified since Thursday that he had made up his mind to leave regardless of the outcome of yesterday's 2-2 draw with West Ham United.

And the 68-year-old has revealed his reasons for leaving Wearside, just a few months after he was persuaded to sign a 12-month contract extension after keeping them up last season.   

Advocaat has informed chairman Ellis Short and he will return to Holland seven months after accepting the challenge of keeping Sunderland in the Premier League.

He said: “I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me. This is a very special football club, with so many great people, but I feel it is the right time to do this - not for me, but for the club.

“I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time turn things around - like we did last year. I am thankful to the chairman for understanding my feelings and I remain on good terms with everyone at the club.

“I wish Ellis, Lee (Congerton), all of the staff, players and of course the supporters, who made me feel so welcome here, the very best of luck for the rest of the season. I have some wonderful memories to take with me and I hope I will return to see everybody again in the future.”

Sunderland owner Short, who will now begin his search for Advocaat's successor, said: “I am truly saddened by Dick’s decision, but I respect him for his honesty and for doing what he feels is right for the club.

"He is a man of integrity and a true football person. He was hugely respectful of the club in taking this decision and he acted 100 per cent in our best interests. It is also testament to his character that he has forgone any kind of a financial settlement, something which is very unusual in football.

“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to Dick. He will be remembered with great affection by everyone at Sunderland and there will always be a warm welcome for him here at the Stadium of Light.

“While this isn’t a situation any of us envisaged being in, what is important now is that we regroup quickly and focus on the rest of the season.”

Former Sunderland defender and ex-Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce along with Burnley's Sean Dyche, former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson and Manchester City coach Patrick Vieira are among those in the frame for the job.

Short hopes to have the new man installed before the trip to West Brom on October 17.

HOW TWITTER REACTED TO THE NEWS OF ADVOCAAT'S DEPARTURE:

Mark mason ‏@maxmason78 

The man has made mistakes but there's no denying his passion for the game. Hope Dick enjoys his retirement #safc

Adam Coates ‏@AdamCoates1334  

Thanks Dick, now Allardyce please. Don't care about style of football. All we want is stability. He gives us best chance at that. #safc

Dan Lewis ‏@OfficialDanL  

Groundhog Day on Wearside. Young fans will think it's normal to change manager every season as won't know any different. #SAFC

Alan Smith ‏@al_smith11 

I may be in the minority of #safc fans here but it's anyone but Sam for me like

Daniel Jenks ‏@DanielJenks89 

#SAFC It is easy to say someone has to tell the players that they are the main problem. However the vast majority of fans have told them ...

Graham Paterson ‏@GrahamNPaterson 

How many more embarrassments before Ellis Short wakes up & realises that this isn't the way to run a football club, it's ridiculous #safc