<text>  Former Rangers, Russia and Holland manager Dick Advocaat has moved a step closer to being the next Sunderland boss . The Dutchman was heading to the north-east on Monday night for talks with the club following the sacking of Gus Poyet. Sporting Director Lee Congerton is understood to have identified Advocaat, who stepped down as Serbia coach in November, as the man to take over until the end of the season. Former Rangers, Russia and Holland manager Dick Advocaat is set to hold talks with Sunderland . Sunderland sacked Poyet in the wake of Saturdays humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa. The result leaves the Black Cats one point and one place above the drop zone and owner Ellis Short believes a change of manager is needed to avoid relegation. Poyet who leaves after 17 months in charge was informed of the clubs decision having taken training at the Academy of Light on Monday morning. Gus Poyet was sacked by Sunderland with the club just one point above the relegation zone . Sunderland fans turned on manager Poyet bottom right during the defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday . Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon looks dejected as Sunderland were thrashed 4-0 at home by Villa . Sportsmail reported earlier in the day that Congerton had advised Short to sack Poyet. A statement on the clubs website confirmed the news and Short said: I would like to thank Gus for his endeavours during his time at the club, in particular last seasons great escape and cup final appearance, which will live long in the memory of every Sunderland fan. HULL . Chelsea Home - March 22 . Swansea Away - April 4 . Southampton Away - April 11 . Liverpool Home - April 18 . Crystal Palace Away - April 25 . Arsenal Home - May 2 . Burnley Home - May 9 . Tottenham Away - May 16 . Man United Home - May 24 . ASTON VILLA . Swansea Home - March 21 . Man United Away - April 4 . Tottenham Away - April 11 . Man City Away - April 25 . Everton Home - May 2 . West Ham Home - May 9 . Southampton Away - May 16 . Burnley Home - May 24 . QPR Home - Date to be arranged . SUNDERLAND . West Ham Away - March 21 . Newcastle Home - April 5 . Crystal Palace Home - April 11 . Stoke Away - April 25 . Southampton Home - May 2 . Everton Away - May 9 . Leicester Home - May 16 . Chelsea Away - May 24 . Arsenal Away - Date to be arranged . BURNLEY . Southampton Away - March 21 . Tottenham Home - April 5 . Arsenal Home - April 11 . Everton Away - April 18 . Leicester Home - April 25 . West Ham Away - May 2 . Hull Away - May 9 . Stoke Home - May 16 . Aston Villa Away - May 24 . QPR . Everton Home - March 22 . West Brom Away - April 4 . Chelsea Home - April 12 . West Ham Home - April 25 . Liverpool Away - May 2 . Man City Away - May 9 . Newcastle Home - May 16 . Leicester Away - May 24 . Aston Villa Away - Date to be arranged . LEICESTER . Tottenham Away - March 21 . West Ham Home - April 4 . West Brom Away - April 11 . Swansea Home - April 18 . Burnley Away - April 25 . Chelsea Home - April 29 . Newcastle Home - May 2 . Southampton Home - May 9 . Sunderland Away - May 16 . QPR Home - May 24 . Note: Fixtures in May subject to change for television schedule. 