Marc Wilmots parts with Belgium

Belgium are in the hunt for a new coach after Marc Wilmots, who guided them to the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter-finals, left the post today.

Wilmots, 47, had a contract running until 2018 but both parties agreed to terminate the deal two years early after the failure to meet expectations in France. His successor will lead Belgium in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group H, starting in Cyprus on 6 September.

"We would like to thank Marc Wilmots for his work during the last four years," the Royal Belgian Football Association (URBSFA/KBVB) said in a statement. "The KBVB's technical commission made an evaluation of UEFA EURO 2016 and found that the intended goals were not reached."

Former Belgium attacking midfielder Wilmots, best known for spells at Schalke and Standard, was appointed national team boss in May 2012 having previously served as assistant to Dick Advocaat and Georges Leekens. Under him, the Red Devils rose from 54th in the FIFA rankings to first and won 34 games out of 51, reaching the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals having achieved a first qualification in 12 years.

Wilmots said: "Today we have mutually agreed to turn the page. I would like to thank all of you: supporters, players and staff. During the past four years, we have accomplished great things. We can be proud of what we have achieved together with the players, our fans and my staff."