LONDON (REUTERS, AFP) - English Premier League strugglers Sunderland on Tuesday appointed Dutchman Dick Advocaat as head coach until the end of the season.

The north-eastern club, who sacked Uruguayan Gus Poyet, 47, on Monday, are one place off the relegation zone with nine matches remaining.

"Sunderland is a big club and I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead. We must now concentrate on Saturday as a priority and I can't wait to get started," said former Dutch national team coach Advocaat, 67, who last coached the Serbia national team.

Sunderland chairman Ellis Short said: "Dick has an incredible CV and vast experience of managing at the very highest level. We have one aim only now - to climb the table and everyone is fully focused on the task ahead of us."