Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole believes Dick Advocaat has had a calming influence on the club.
The Dutchman took the reins from Gus Poyet late last season and guided the Black Cats to safety before signing on permanently in the summer after initially opting to walk away from management.
Speaking to the club's official website from the pre-season tour of North America, Cattermole spoke highly of Advocaat for his ability to settle things down following a topsy-turvy campaign.
"He has just calmed everything down," said Cattermole.
"There has been a lot of change. If you think where we were a couple of years ago, the change has been massive. Things don't just happen overnight.
"I think the manager staying for another year will just really settle everything down and just let the lads focus on their football, and not worry about anything else.
"That's the main thing for us, just concentrating on our jobs. Do that well and everything else takes care of itself."
Sunderland lost 3-1 to Mexican club Pachuca in Sacramento on Saturday as they get set to meet Jermain Defoe's former club Toronto FC at BMO Field on Wednesday.
