Sam Allardyce has been hired by Sunderland on a two-year deal.

Dick Advocaat and Sunderland parted ways last week.

Allardyce expressed has happiness at his new role, telling the club website: ““I have enjoyed my break from football and now I’m raring to get back. I met with Ellis [Short, the club chairman] and we spoke at length about the club and his ambitions and I knew I wanted to be part of that.

“I hope to be able to help to bring the stability and success that everyone wants. 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 will attempt to keep Sunderland from relegation.