AMSTERDAM: Ajax Amsterdam have sacked coach Maurice Steijn after a run of four league defeats left them second from bottom of the Eredivisie.

Steijn, 49, joined Ajax in June on a three-year deal after a season at Sparta Rotterdam but their only league win came against promoted Heracles at the start of the campaign.

A statement from Steijn said: “We came to the conclusion that this is what is best for Ajax, although I regret that,” Steijn told the club website.

“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.”

Ajax have five points from seven games.

They visit Brighton & Hove Albion in the Europa League on Thursday before a trip to leaders PSV Eindhoven on Sunday.

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