Football
PA Sport 9y

Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat finalises backroom staff

Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat has confirmed the make-up of his backroom team for the new campaign.

As expected, the Dutchman's long-time ally Bert van Lingen will not rejoin the 67-year-old on Wearside, but Zeljko Petrovic, with whom he also worked during his spell in charge of Serbia, is back on board.

Former England midfielder Paul Bracewell, who moved from the club's academy to join the first-team staff during Advocaat's nine-game reign at the end of last season, will continue as first-team coach, while Adrian Tucker will remain as goalkeeping coach.

There is a place on the staff, too, for sports scientist Scott Pearce.

The announcement came as no surprise with Van Lingen having told Advocaat at the end of last season that he would be retiring -- much as the former Holland boss intended to.

The latter has revealed that was largely the reason for the pair's tears after Sunderland secured their top-flight status with a goalless draw at Arsenal on May 20.

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