Feyenoord coach Fred Rutten left the club on Sunday night. The club management decided that was the best course of action after the 3-0 loss to PEC Zwolle earlier in the day. Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was already set to take over as head coach at the end of the season, will step into his new role immediately.
The decision was taken after Feyenoord dropped out of the top three and so failed to qualify directly for next season’s Europa League following the 3-0 defeat at PEC Zwolle.
Feyenoord will now have to go through the playoffs to earn a place in the Europa League third qualifying round. The first hurdle is a two-legged semi-final against SC Heerenveen. Feyenoord first play away on Thursday (18.30), with the return at De Kuip on Sunday (14.30). The winners then play Vitesse or PEC Zwolle in the playoff final.