Report: Sunderland determined to keep head coach Dick Advocaat

Sunderland are reportedly determined to keep head coach Dick Advocaat at the Stadium of Light after the Dutchman steered the club to Premier League safety.

The 67-year-old struggled to hold back the tears after his team secured the point that they needed to stay up in Wednesday night's goalless draw with Arsenal.

Sunderland were in a precarious position when Advocaat took over from Gus Poyet on a short-term deal and he has since led the Black Cats to 12 points from his last eight games.

The overriding feeling was that the former Netherlands boss would leave Sunderland at the end of the season to return to Holland with his wife and retire.

However, according to The Shields Gazette, chairman Ellis Short plans to do everything that he can to convince Advocaat to stay on as permanent head coach and provide some stability to the North-East outfit.

After last night's match, Advocaat revealed that he will "give an answer" regarding his future next week.