Ed de Goey: 'Dick Advocaat will keep Sunderland up'

Former Chelsea and Netherlands goalkeeper Ed de Goey has expressed his belief that Dick Advocaat will guide Sunderland to Premier League safety.

The 67-year-old Dutchman has been appointed head coach of the Black Cats until the end of the season following the sacking of Gus Poyet.

De Goey, who played under Advocaat for the Dutch national team, believes that his former boss has the qualities needed to drag Sunderland out of danger.

"If somebody can do it, then he is the man," De Goey told talkSPORT. "If you see his record in the past, I think he is the man.

"He gives a kick up the backside. He is very straight in training, and he has got the fighting spirit all the time."

Sunderland are currently one point ahead of the bottom three.