Dutch giants Ajax have announced the sack of manager Maurice Steijn following the 4-3 league loss to Utrecht over the weekend, which left the club without a win in the previous eight games, with five of those being defeats.
The club statement reads, “Ajax and Maurice Steijn will part ways with immediate effect. The club management and Steijn have agreed that the coach will step down from his position.”
Steijn signed a three-year contract to join Ajax from Sparta Rotterdam in June.
However, the club’s string of poor performances, which have left them 17th in the league with only five points from seven games, finally led to his early departure.
Following Steijn’s sack, he said, “This morning, I sat down with the board, and we continued our talks later this afternoon. We came to the conclusion that this is what is best for Ajax, although I regret that.
“Everyone who knows me knows I have done everything to take Ajax back to the place where this club belongs. But I failed to do so. I want to thank the supporters and the people I have worked with here, and I hope Ajax will find its way up again soon”.
Hedwiges Maduro, a former player for Ajax, will serve as interim manager until a permanent replacement is named.