The first managerial casualty of the Premier League season has taken place.
Sunderland confirmed Sunday that Dick Advocaat stepped down as manager of the Tyne-Wear club, informing chairman Ellis Short of his decision and departing the Stadium of Light.
Advocaat reportedly said goodbye to his players after Sunderland's 2-2 draw versus West Ham United on Saturday, a result that left the Black Cats winless through their first eight fixtures of the Premier League season.
Related: Dick Advocaat says goodbye to Sunderland players, flies to the Netherlands
17.6% - Dick Advocaat (3 wins from 17 games) has the lowest win percentage for a Dutch Premier League manager ever. Outlawed.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) October 4, 2015
"I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me," Advocaat said. This is a very special football club, with so many great people, but I feel it is the right time to do this - not for me, but for the club.
"I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time to turn things around - like we did last year. I am thankful to the chairman for understanding my feelings and I remain on good terms with everyone at the club.
"I wish Ellis, Lee (Congerton), all of the staff, players and of course the supporters, who made me feel so welcome here, the very best of luck for the rest of the season. I have some wonderful memories to take with me and I hope I will return to see everybody again in the future."
It was reported Saturday that Congerton, Sunderland's sporting director for the past year-and-a-half, was set to leave the club as well, but only the resignation of Advocaat and assistant head coach Zeljko Petrovic was confirmed.
Advocaat was appointed as Sunderland's manager in March and left the position at the end of the season before pulling a U-turn in June, signing a one-year contract with the club after Congerton and Short convinced him to stay.
