Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has hinted he is set to quit the struggling Premier League club following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with West Ham.

Reports on Saturday morning claimed Advocaat would resign over the weekend because he feels let down by owner Ellis Short’s failure to back him in the transfer market.

The 68-year-old appeared emotional on the touchline as 10-man Sunderland squandered a two-goal lead against the Hammers at the Stadium of Light to leave them languishing in the relegation zone.

Quizzed at the post-match press conference about the speculation that it was his final game in charge, Advocaat’s response suggested he had decided to quit, although he refused to confirm that was the case.

Asked if he would confirm he would still be in the post beyond this weekend, the Dutchman said: “No, I can’t say that. I cannot say I will be the manager for the next game.

“Today I am the manager, what will happen in the next weeks, months, I cannot say. I don’t want to answer that.”

Advocaat was then pressed on whether he had made a decision over his future and he said: “Yes, I have made a decision.

“I don’t want to discuss my own future. You will hear it this way or the other way. Let’s wait and see.”

Advocaat saved Sunderland from relegation last season after arriving as interim manager in March and was persuaded to reverse his decision to retire at the end of the campaign.

But once he returned for another season in charge, the former Netherlands and Glasgow Rangers boss became troubled by Short’s unwillingness to make available the funds Advocaat believed were essential to avoid another relegation battle.

Advocaat’s fears have proved correct as Sunderland slipped into the bottom three without a win in their first eight league games.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche, whose club were relegated from the Premier League last season, has been strongly linked with Advocaat’s job.