Dick Advocaat is set to quit as head coach of Sunderland – regardless of the outcome of Saturday's match at home to West Ham.

Sportsmail revealed on Friday that the 68-year-old was considering his future after becoming disillusioned following a winless start which sees his side bottom of the Premier League.

But we now understand Advocaat has indicated to staff that he is ready to end his seven-month association with the Black Cats – even a win against the Hammers is unlikely to persuade him to stay.

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Dick Advocaat is set to quit as Sunderland boss even if he leads his side to victory against West Ham

Billy Jones, John O'Shea and Lee Cattermole applaud the fans after defeat against Manchester United

Club sources say that a meal with his backroom team this week had a 'farewell feel' to it and it is thought Advocaat has already arranged for flowers to be given to some support staff.

It is the talk of the Academy of Light training ground that the Dutchman is set to leave and, while the players have not formally been told, they fully expect to have a new manager in the coming weeks.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche and former Leicester City chief Nigel Pearson are two of the names in the frame.

Advocaat's press conference on Friday descended into farce when he first appeared to deny the story about him quitting, before refusing to commit his future to the club and then saying 'things can change in a day'.

He eventually walked out after questions on the subject continued.

However, he did say: 'I always think in facts. The fact is it is now Friday and I am manager of Sunderland.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche (left) and former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson are in the running to take charge

Advocaat enjoys a joke with compatriot Louis van Gaal prior to last week's 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford

NO RESPITE FOR DILIGENT DICK Dick Advocaat saved Sunderland from relegation last season, winning the Tyne-Wear derby 1-0 with a Jermain Defoe goal against Newcastle in his second match on a run of 12 points from nine games. They survived on the penultimate weekend. But this season has been a flop with just two points so far — and the only win from nine matches coming against League Two Exeter City in the Capital One Cup. Advertisement

'But what will happen on Sunday, or a week after Sunday, or nine months after Sunday. Then I will tell you the real story.

'When I think it is time to do something then I will do so.' He added: 'The fact is you can be ill tomorrow. Why do you always talk about "if, if, if". The fact is I am here and tomorrow I am here.

'But what happens after that – it is the same for all managers – things can change in a day, in a week, in a month, in nine months.'

If Advocaat does go it will leave owner Ellis Short searching for his fifth manager in two-and-a-half years and the club in complete disarray.

Instead of starting afresh during the summer, Short and sporting director Lee Congerton persuaded the former Holland boss to return after he masterminded their escape from relegation last season.

However, there was tension between Short and Advocaat throughout the close season over the amount of money invested and the quality of players being brought in.

Sunderland owner Ellis Short could be forced to look for his fifth manager in just two-and-a-half years

Sunderland are without a win in the Premier League this season and currently sit bottom of the table

It now appears that Advocaat has had enough and, with the fear of a first relegation in 28 years of management, will return to Holland during the international break.

The search for a new boss will then begin with Dyche the leading candidate having been top of their list before Advocaat's U-turn in June.

But the immediate availability of Pearson - and no compensation payment - will appeal to the club following his sacking at Leicester.

Both managers have Premier League experience and, while a foreign boss has not been ruled out, there is a feeling that mistakes have been learned following the disastrous reigns of Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet.