Advocaat appointed Sunderland coachpublished at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015
Advocaat becomes the sixth new managerial appointment in the Premier League this season, after Alan Pardew, Tony Pulis, John Carver, Chris Ramsey and Tim Sherwood.
The Dutchman takes over a day after the sacking of Gus Poyet with the Black Cats one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
Advocaat, who has had two spells in charge of the Dutch national team, joins compatriots Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman in the Premier League.
At 67, he also becomes the oldest manager in the top division.