DICK ADVOCAAT is adamant he has not decided to quit Sunderland before the final two games of the season and has rubbished suggestions he could even head back to Scotland rather than retire.

The experienced Dutchman’s initial contract on Wearside is due to expire when the season ends after he was tasked with the short term challenge of keeping the Black Cats up.

There have been regular suggestions emanating from his native Holland that he will not be staying on any longer for personal reasons, but he claims not to have made a decision at this stage.

A fresh report at the beginning of the week suggesting that was the case, while it has since emerged the odds of him returning to take charge of Rangers have tumbled.

But Advocaat, focused on tonight’s trip to Arsenal when a point will keep Sunderland in the top-flight, said: “I repeat - I have not made a decision yet on my future. I have not given Sunderland an answer, either one way or another. I will not do that until next week when I will let them know. Nobody knows yet what I will do.”

Asked to reiterate if his current job will be his last, he added: “That is for sure. I have been linked with Rangers, but that's wrong. I went up there and visited their training ground. That's the link but it's wrong.”

The former PSV Eindhoven and Rangers boss stated last week that he will hold talks with Sunderland about his future until it has been determined what division they will be playing in next season.

He has, though, enjoyed his time in charge at the Stadium of Light and, intriguingly, he spoke again yesterday about how the club deserves a brighter future under owner Ellis Short.

Advocaat said: “There is potential at this club. I know the owner and, like me, he wants this club to be at the other end of the table. The club need to set up for next season but when I see what has happened in the past, things can be done much better in my opinion.

“The Premier League is a great league with great stadiums. It's a cliche but every game is tough. It's not like Scotland with Rangers where, apart from Celtic, we were always winning at home. It was more difficult away, but here it is difficult both home and away.”

In guiding Sunderland to within touching distance of Premier League survival, it would be no surprise if other English clubs approached him about staying over here full-time.

“No (they haven't) - and I'm not disappointed about that,” said the 67-year-old. “I'm very happy with where I've been and what I've achieved. I've coached in different countries and I'm really happy with what I've done in the past.”

But Advocaat, who has never been relegated during an illustrious career which has secured European and domestic titles, does not want to end on a sour note – if he does leave next week.

“It's something new for me and I don't like it. I don't like relegation battles because I am used to working at a higher level, challenging for championships and cups,” he said. “Now it's not just about what we do since you are also relying on other teams.

“We don't know what will happen at the weekend. When I started in management we won promotion in my first year, then only just stayed up in our second year. That is the closest I have been to relegation.”

Advocaat is likely to ask fit-again Jack Rodwell to slot into the midfield tonight as a direct replacement for the injured Liam Bridcutt, who picked up a knock against Leicester on Saturday. If Sunderland can avoid defeat at the Emirates then they will be safe before the trip to champions Chelsea on Sunday.

“I think if we get the point tomorrow, that's the moment we have to leave on a high,” laughed Advocaat. “I heard that Sam Allardyce said what he has done at West Ham is better than Houdini, but I wouldn't say that about myself. But I understand what he means.”

But he is looking forward to taking on both Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho over the next five days.

Advocaat said: “I met Wenger once in Switzerland when we won in Europe with Zenit. There was a meeting with top managers and Wenger was there with Mourinho, Ferguson and those types of coaches. All the famous coaches.

“I have never really got to know any of them, but I know that if you work that long at that level, you must have something very special. It is very difficult.

“It's the same with Mourinho and I'm not just saying that to please them ahead of the two games. Their records are unbelievable and I'm looking forward to seeing the two of them and having a chat.”

Sunderland: Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, O’Shea, Van Aanholt; Rodwell, Cattermole, Larsson; Defoe, Graham, Wickham.