Dick Advocaat has revealed that Cardiff City made contact with him over their managerial vacancy, despite the 77-year-old currently being in charge of the Curacao national team.
The Dutchman, who boasts a wealth of experience with clubs such as Sunderland, Rangers, and numerous international teams, admitted the approach took him by surprise.
Cardiff’s Managerial Uncertainty
Cardiff City have been in turmoil this season, with former boss Erol Bulut being dismissed following a poor run of results that left them in a precarious position in the Championship. Omer Riza was initially appointed on an interim basis before being given the role until the end of the season.
With the club still hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, speculation over a long-term appointment has been rife. However, Advocaat has suggested that despite Cardiff’s approach, he was never seriously considering the job.
“Cardiff made an informal approach for me. It is insane that at my age clubs are still coming after me.
“But the people on my home front were no longer in agreement with me taking a job like this. Someone on the Curacao team staff must have leaked the news of Cardiff’s interest.”
His comments indicate that while Cardiff may have considered him as an option, his family and personal commitments played a key role in rejecting any potential discussions.
Advocaat Career
Dick Advocaat has enjoyed a long and illustrious coaching career, managing at both club and international levels. Beginning in the Netherlands in the early 1980s, he worked his way up from amateur football to assisting legendary coach Rinus Michels with the Dutch national team. He later led the Netherlands to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup before embarking on a club career with PSV Eindhoven, where he won domestic honours.
Advocaat’s managerial journey took him to Scotland in 1998, where he became Rangers’ first foreign manager. Backed by significant investment, he guided the club to a domestic treble in his first season. However, after a trophyless third season, he stepped aside, later admitting his big spending at Ibrox came under scrutiny after Rangers’ financial collapse.
His career continued with various international stints, including leading South Korea at the 2006 World Cup and winning the Russian Premier League and UEFA Cup with Zenit Saint Petersburg. A brief but memorable spell at Sunderland in 2015 saw him steer the club to Premier League survival, famously tearing up in celebration after securing safety. However, a poor start to the following season led to his resignation.
Writer’s View
Cardiff City’s decision to approach Advocaat is certainly an interesting one. While his experience is undeniable, bringing in a 77-year-old manager for a relegation battle would have been a risky move. Advocaat’s comments suggest he was never seriously considering the job, and with his eyes set on guiding Curacao to the World Cup before retirement, it’s clear his priorities lie elsewhere.
