Dick Advocaat will wait until next week before telling Sunderland whether he wants to remain in the manager’s chair for next season or retire.
Although the 67-year-old Dutchman’s contract at the Stadium of Light was originally intended to be strictly short-term he has impressed Ellis Short, Sunderland’s owner, and Lee Congerton, the sporting director, since succeeding Gus Poyet in March.
Yet, if it appears the board may be willing to shelve plans to hire a younger coach this summer in order to stick with the former Holland manager, Advocaat has still to make his intentions clear.
Only last week he dropped strong hints about staying on but the past few days have seen reports in the Netherlands suggesting his wife will not countenance him accepting a new deal on Wearside.
As he prepared for Wednesday night’s trip to Arsenal – where Sunderland require a point to guarantee their Premier League survival – Advocaat seemed to be quite enjoying keeping everyone guessing. “I have not made a decision yet on my future,” he said. “I have not given Sunderland an answer, either one way or another. I will not do that until next week when I will let them know. Nobody knows yet what I will do.
“But so far I have really enjoyed it here. I have been linked with a job at Rangers – [as a potential director of football at his old club] – this week but that’s wrong. I went up there and visited their training ground. That’s the link but the story is wrong. Sunderland will definitely be my last job.”
Advocaat could well name Adam Johnson in his starting XI at the Emirates. During his seven games in charge he has consistently used the former England winger as a substitute but suggested that could change against Arsène Wenger’s side.
Whether he starts or not, Johnson will arrive at the Emirates little more than 48 hours after his appearance at a case management hearing at Peterlee magistrates court where his solicitor indicated he would deny three charges of sexual activity with a girl under 16 and one of grooming.
“Adam is a player who can do something different for us,” said Advocaat, who has presided over the collection of 11 points from seven games. “His style is different from the others.” With Hull, particularly, and Newcastle United in even greater jeopardy of relegation, the probability is that Sunderland will survive regardless but real risk remains and Advocaat would prefer not to visit Chelsea on Sunday still seeking that elusive point.
Not that his demeanour will betray any nerves. “A relegation battle is new for me and I don’t like it. I’m used to working at a higher level, challenging for Championships and cups. But I learned a long time ago never to show signs of pressure,” he said. “You must always enjoy the situation, whatever it is, and this is what we must do at Arsenal. It’s a beautiful stadium and a great pitch - what more do you want?
“I think every player enjoys playing at Chelsea and Arsenal. We have nothing to lose because everyone expects us to lose – except us. I know we will give both of them a really difficult time.”
Whether he remains at the helm or not, Advocaat will be disappointed to see Sunderland feature in future relegation battles. “There is potential at this club,” he said. “I know the owner and, like me, he wants Sunderland to be at the other end of the table. When I see what has happened in the past here, things can be done much better.”