Advocaat leaves Netherlands post to become Fenerbache manager
Dick Advocaat has accepted his third job in less than a year.
Fenerbahce confirmed Advocaat's appointment Wednesday on a one-year contract, with the Dutchman replacing Vitor Pereira on the bench. In taking the role, Advocaat left his position as assistant to Danny Blind with the Netherlands.
Welcome Dick Advocaat! pic.twitter.com/IzFanBRSzm
— Fenerbahce_EN (@Fenerbahce_EN) August 17, 2016
The KNVB announced Monday that the 68-year-old had indicated a desire to pursue another opportunity on the same day Fenerbahce sacked Pereira.
Advocaat also stepped down as Sunderland manager last October, despite saving the club from relegation the previous season.
He begins his Turkish tenure against Swiss side Grasshopper in the Europa League on Thursday.
Blind said he was "shocked and disappointed" by Advocaat's decision to leave just three months into his role as assistant.
The Netherlands - which famously missed Euro 2016 after a poor qualifying campaign - will kick off 2018 World Cup qualifying against Sweden on Sept. 6.
"When I approached Dick last year to be assistant, he gave me the impression he wanted to do it long term," said Blind. "But we have to carry on, from now on what is important is our upcoming matches against Greece and Sweden."
Fenerbahce is the 11th club in Advocaat's managerial career. He also coached the Netherlands (1992-94, 2002-04), the United Arab Emirates (2005), South Korea (2005-06), Belgium (2009-10), Russia (2010-12), and Serbia (2014).
The Super Lig runner-up reportedly dismissed Portuguese boss Pereira as a result of Fenerbahce's defeat to AS Monaco in the preliminary round of the Champions League earlier this month.