When asked to characterise Dick Advocaat’s management style I always tell people he has discipline, he is very direct but very honest. He has never been afraid to make unpopular decisions if he thinks they are right for his team. All of these things are important for any successful manager.
However, he is also a very good coach. It isn’t just about what money he has or what players can sign. The fact he has managed and been successful across so many countries should tell you that. He has coached for years and years now, which is the sign of someone who can move with the times in football and adapt his ideas for different teams. His experience in so many different football environments is important, something not a lot of managers can say they have.
Dick is completely obsessed with football; he will watch or study matches everywhere, lower leagues or higher leagues, because he wants to know all about the game. He really is crazy about it and that has always been the case.
I think there has been a small change in Dick’s character over the years. In the early days he would be fanatical about what the press were doing. He is more relaxed now, whereas before he used to see every question or every article as some kind of potential attack on him and his club. I suppose experience has just changed his outlook but stuff like that won’t bother him nearly as much now as it did when he was at Rangers, for example.
As I person, I have always liked him a lot. There are two images of Dick: as that manager, that head coach where he can be a very hard man; but as a person, he has a great sense of humour in company and a real sensitive side. People don’t always see that and players especially, deliberately. I think basically because he has never wanted them to get too close.
He always said he wanted to manage a team in England and, of course, that meant the Premier League. That is the place to be because of the level of competition and Dick seemed to have realised that for quite some time. He has had a lot of jobs, national team jobs, worked in Russia, so this opportunity coming now is one he will be very eager about.
He has waited for this moment, there is no question. I also know he will do absolutely everything within his power to keep Sunderland in the league.
