Sunderland midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has hailed manager Dick Advocaat after he re-signed for the club today.
The Dutch coach replaced Gus Poyet in March and led the Black Cats to Premier League survival.
Advocaat had initially told the club that he was not interested in continuing his duties in the North-East, but the 67-year-old signed a one-year deal on Thursday.
"He was fundamental to everything we achieved last year," the Italian told the club's official website. "When he arrived he brought experience and he knew what we needed to survive; he gave us what he needed to stay in the Barclays Premier League."
Sunderland finished 16th and three points clear of danger in the end.
