Ajax part ways with coach Steijn after losing run

Ajax Amsterdam have parted ways with coach Maurice Steijn with immediate effect, the Eredivisie club said on Monday, after a run of four league defeats left them second from bottom.

The 49-year-old Steijn 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.

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"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.