DICK ADVOCAAT insists that he remains the best man for the job at the Stadium of Light as he looks to secure a victory which could make or break his tenure as Sunderland head coach.

But during an unusual pre-match press conference at the club’s Academy of Light training headquarters yesterday, the experienced Dutchman left the door open for his departure.

On the same day as speculation surrounding his future increased with a suggestion he will quit as Sunderland’s head coach regardless of the result against West Ham, every word of Advocaat’s was closely examined.

The 68-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday and has a contract until the end of the season, might privately know what the future holds, but publicly he is offering up no guarantees either way as to how long he will remain in charge at Sunderland.

He was happy enough to deliver his assessment of the situation, but when he was repeatedly asked to clarify the uncertainty surrounding his position the pre-match press conference was cut short.

“You might not believe me, but I still really like what I’m doing, this is a great club, the facilities and the stadium are great, the only thing missing are the results,” he said.

Asked if he felt he was still the right man for the job, just a fortnight after he claimed he would walk away if he thought there was someone who could do better, he said: “I still think I’m the best one. Definitely.”

That response arrived seconds before he walked out of the media suite, having become frustrated by the number of questions about his future.

The uncertainty returned despite starting the press conference by answering a question about him quitting if Sunderland lost this afternoon with: “Definitely not. I don’t know exactly where that has come from.

“I always think in facts. The fact is that it is now Friday and I am manager of Sunderland. But what will happen on Sunday, or a week after Sunday, or nine months after Sunday ... then I will tell you the real story. But now I am still here.

“Nothing has changed. When I think it is time to do something then I will do so. Today is not the time to do something.

“For me it’s important to discuss what happens tomorrow, that’s the reason we are here, not to say what maybe will happen on Sunday or a week later.”

Sunderland have just two points after losing five of their opening seven league games and the need for victories over West Ham today and then West Brom after the international break carries huge importance.

Advocaat said: “They always talk if, if, if, but there is no if. The fact is that I’m sitting here and I’m doing the game tomorrow. I can do the game next week. But I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I don’t know what’s going to happen in a week or in nine months. That’s football.

“I told you as well that I’m the one who makes the decisions about that, and if I feel the other thing then I will do (it). Otherwise I would not be sitting here.”

After leaving the Academy of Light yesterday, Advocaat focused on ensuring his players are ready for the the task at hand: defeating West Ham, who have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City away from home already this season.

“After Spurs, we played City and Manchester United, I think they have spent £300m or £400m and we have spent £20m,” said Advocaat.

“You know when you play against the better teams, you can lose, but the problem is it’s still difficult to accept. Even against teams like City and United. Against the other teams we have to get the results otherwise we are going down.”

Sunderland have sold more than 42,000 tickets for today’s game despite propping up the Premier League. Advocaat said: “The results have definitely had nothing to do with our supporters, because they are the best.

“They are still coming and we definitely need them in our home games against a team like West Ham when you have seen what they have done already this season.

“It’s very important because after that we have a break for two weeks and eight or nine players will go away. It’s always better to go away with a win. Everybody knows we have to get a result.

“It will be a difficult game because they play on the counter. They have good players up front, but it’s not no important what they like to do, we have to make how they like to play difficult.”

Advocaat confirmed he will not be considering Danny Graham, Adam Johnson or Duncan Watmore for the visit of the Hammers.

And winger Will Buckley has completed a three-month loan move to Leeds United with a view to a £1m permanent switch when the transfer window opens on January 2.