Former West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has been appointed the new boss of struggling Sunderland on a two-year contract.
Allardyce succeeds Dick Advocaat, who resigned last weekend following a 2-2 home draw against the Hammers. Sunderland have wasted no time in drafting in the Dutchman's replacement, staying true to their promise to appoint a manager with Premier League experience.
Allardyce will try to guide Sunderland away from the relegation zone and is relishing the challenge.
“I hope to be able to help to bring the stability and success that everyone wants", Allardyce told Sunderland's official site.
“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", Allardyce added.
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Sunderland currently sit second bottom of the Premier League table, with only three points from their eight games so far.
Allardyce's first match as Sunderland manager will come after the international break, with a trip to the Hawthorns to face Tony Pulis' West Brom.
Then the experienced manager will lead the Black Cats into a clash with fierce rivals Newcastle United, a club Allardyce managed from 2007 until 2008.
