Former Rangers , Russia and Holland manager Dick Advocaat has moved a step closer to being the next Sunderland boss . The Dutchman was heading to the north-east on Monday night for talks with the club following the sacking of Gus Poyet . Sporting Director Lee Congerton is understood to have identified Advocaat , who stepped down as Serbia coach in November , as the man to take over until the end of the season . Former Rangers , Russia and Holland manager Dick Advocaat is set to hold talks with Sunderland . Sunderland sacked Poyet in the wake of Saturday 's humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa . The result leaves the Black Cats one point and one place above the drop zone and owner Ellis Short believes a change of manager is needed to avoid relegation . Poyet – who leaves after 17 months in charge – was informed of the club 's decision having taken training at the Academy of Light on Monday morning . Gus Poyet was sacked by Sunderland with the club just one point above the relegation zone . Sunderland fans turned on manager Poyet ( bottom right ) during the defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday . Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon looks dejected as Sunderland were thrashed 4-0 at home by Villa . Sportsmail reported earlier in the day that Congerton had advised Short to sack Poyet . A statement on the club 's website confirmed the news and Short said : ' I would like to thank Gus for his endeavours during his time at the club , in particular last season 's 'great escape ' and cup final appearance , which will live long in the memory of every Sunderland fan . HULL . Chelsea ( Home ) - March 22 . Swansea ( Away ) - April 4 . Southampton ( Away ) - April 11 . Liverpool ( Home ) - April 18 . Crystal Palace ( Away ) - April 25 . Arsenal ( Home ) - May 2 . Burnley ( Home ) - May 9 . Tottenham ( Away ) - May 16 . Man United ( Home ) - May 24 . ASTON VILLA . Swansea ( Home ) - March 21 . Man United ( Away ) - April 4 . Tottenham ( Away ) - April 11 . Man City ( Away ) - April 25 . Everton ( Home ) - May 2 . West Ham ( Home ) - May 9 . Southampton ( Away ) - May 16 . Burnley ( Home ) - May 24 . *QPR ( Home ) - Date to be arranged . SUNDERLAND . West Ham ( Away ) - March 21 . Newcastle ( Home ) - April 5 . Crystal Palace ( Home ) - April 11 . Stoke ( Away ) - April 25 . Southampton ( Home ) - May 2 . Everton ( Away ) - May 9 . Leicester ( Home ) - May 16 . Chelsea ( Away ) - May 24 . * Arsenal ( Away ) - Date to be arranged . BURNLEY . Southampton ( Away ) - March 21 . Tottenham ( Home ) - April 5 . Arsenal ( Home ) - April 11 . Everton ( Away ) - April 18 . Leicester ( Home ) - April 25 . West Ham ( Away ) - May 2 . Hull ( Away ) - May 9 . Stoke ( Home ) - May 16 . Aston Villa ( Away ) - May 24 . QPR . Everton ( Home ) - March 22 . West Brom ( Away ) - April 4 . Chelsea ( Home ) - April 12 . West Ham ( Home ) - April 25 . Liverpool ( Away ) - May 2 . Man City ( Away ) - May 9 . Newcastle ( Home ) - May 16 . Leicester ( Away ) - May 24 . *Aston Villa ( Away ) - Date to be arranged . LEICESTER . Tottenham ( Away ) - March 21 . West Ham ( Home ) - April 4 . West Brom ( Away ) - April 11 . Swansea ( Home ) - April 18 . Burnley ( Away ) - April 25 . Chelsea ( Home ) - April 29 . Newcastle ( Home ) - May 2 . Southampton ( Home ) - May 9 . Sunderland ( Away ) - May 16 . QPR ( Home ) - May 24 . Note : Fixtures in May subject to change for television schedule .
Dick Advocaat to hold talks with Sunderland over being the next boss . The Dutchman was heading to the north-east on Monday night . Gus Poyet was sacked on Monday following 4-0 defeat by Sunderland . The Black Cats are one point and one place above the drop zone .