Frank de Boer quits as Ajax coach after five-and-a-half year at the helm, the Dutch soccer club announced on Thursday.
During a meeting with the board this week De Boer told about his decision to quit and afterwards both parties reached an agreement on terminating the contract, which ran until mid-2017. One of his assistants, Orlando Trustfull, who has a contract until mid-2016, will also leave the club.
The 45-year-old former Ajax player and former Dutch international De Boer started as Ajax coach as successor of Martin Jol on December 6, 2010. He led his team to the Dutch championship in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and also won the Dutch Super Cup in 2013. Last Sunday Ajax lost the 2015/2016 title to PSV after a 1-1 draw at De Graafschap.
“After winning four league titles in a row the 2014/2015 season was a disappointment, we wanted to take revenge this season and we have done everything to reach that goal. Unfortunately it did not turn out as we all hoped and expected,” De Boer said in a press release.
“I began to realize more that it was time for something else,” De Boer added. “That it is better for me and also for Ajax to leave. What I will do now, I do not know yet. A year without a club is also an option, I’ll see what comes my way.”