DANNY GRAHAM would love to see Dick Advocaat surprise Wearside by staying on as head coach and claims it would be a major ‘coup’ if Sunderland can pull off the deal.

Advocaat is understood to have already made up his mind on his future after being offered a contract of either two or three years at the Stadium of Light.

His feelings are expected to be made public soon, but there is a growing feeling that he will be returning to Holland to enjoy his retirement with his wife after his initial nine-game contract came to an end with a defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

And Graham, who scored his first goal for Sunderland under the Dutchman, would love Advocaat to stay on longer and build on the job he has effectively started.

The Sunderland striker said: “He has thanked everyone for their attitude and commitment. A lot of players want him to return. Hopefully that will be the case.

“We have all thoroughly enjoyed working with him. It has been very pleasant over the last seven or eight weeks. If he did come back it would be a massive coup for the lads and the club.

“Since the new gaffer came in we have looked stronger, picked up valuable points in some big games like against Southampton and Everton and then Arsenal. Those made sure we were safe.

“We have been positive towards the end of the season but we have to come back and make sure we are not in this position again. It’s been two years in a row and we need a better season.”

After two and a half frustrating years at Sunderland, Graham would love to be able to become a regular under Advocaat - or whoever else is in charge - next season.

And while the majority of players at Sunderland will be glad to see the back of a disappointing campaign which ended in Premier League survival, Graham would still like keep going through the summer.

He said: “If someone comes in, hopefully we all have a clean slate and we all have to fight for the jersey on the first day of the season. Whatever happens I am sure everyone will be looking forward to another season in the Premier League.

“A lot of the lads will be looking forward to a break. Whereas I just want to keep playing. I am just pleased I have given myself a chance of showing that I can come back and be a part next year. That’s what I want. I have enjoyed being involved again. And it’s been great to stay up.

“It’s been nice to be involved at this stage. The most important thing is that it wasn’t just about me. It was the whole squad, the whole team. Whoever has played has tried to make sure we stayed up.

“It has been good to get a run of consecutive games. I just want to come back now and whoever the manager is make sure I am in his plans.”