SUNDERLAND have confirmed the appointment of Sam Allardyce as their new manager.

Allardyce has signed a two-year deal to replace Dick Advocaat at the Stadium of Light following a day of hectic negotiations between his representatives and Black Cats owner Ellis Short.

Having previously been reluctant to move to Wearside, Allardyce indicated his willingness to take charge earlier on Friday, with confirmation making him the first man in history to lead both Sunderland and Newcastle.

He will be given the freedom to appoint his own backroom set-up, and is understood to have been promised significant funds for the January transfer window.

Lee Congerton is not expected to remain in his current position after submitting his notice last month, and Allardyce has been promised a substantial 'survival bonus' if he succeeds in keeping Sunderland in the Premier League this season.

Short said: "I am very pleased to welcome Sam to our football club. Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job. 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.

"I would like to assure our fans that once Dick made us aware of his intention to leave, Lee Congerton oversaw an organised and structured recruitment process, that bore very little resemblance to what has been described in the media.

"For example, this was a very popular job, proactively sought after by a large number of managers - contrary to much of what has been portrayed. The process was made easier by the fact that Sam was such an obvious choice."

Allardyce said: "I have enjoyed my break from football and now I’m raring to get back. I met with Ellis and we spoke at length about the club and his ambitions and I knew I wanted to be part of that. I hope to be able to help to bring the stability and success that everyone wants.

"Of course it’s a challenging job, but it’s something I have experience of in the past.  I’m looking forward to working with the players and of course I will be relying on the help of the Sunderland supporters, whose tremendous passion I have experienced first hand.  I can’t wait to get started."