Ajax legend Ronald de Boer feels that it is no surprise Sunderland opted to appoint Dick Advocaat as their new manager, feeling that the trail for the 67-year-old has been well and truly blazed by countrymen Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman.
Sunderland turned to Advocaat to replace Gus Poyet, who was relieved of his duties on Monday, and the Dutchman took charge of his first match yesterday away at West Ham, his side going down 1-0.
For De Boer, it came as no surprise that the Black Cats called Advocaat, with the ex-Barcelona man feeling the stock of Dutch coaches is high following Van Gaal's work at Manchester United and Koeman's with Southampton.
"It is no coincidence, because Ronald Koeman is doing great and Louis van Gaal is now on an upward trend, which has a positive effect", De Boer told FOX Sports.
"I think Advocaat is also going to do well and that he will keep Sunderland up."
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At present Sunderland sit one place and one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League and face a derby clash against their fierce rivals Newcastle United after the international break.
Following that game, Advocaat's men host Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light before heading to Stoke City to round off their fixtures for the month of April.
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