Galatasaray part company with Rijkaard

Galatasaray AŞ have parted company with coach Frank Rijkaard in the wake of Sunday's 4-2 home defeat by MKE Ankaragücü which left the Istanbul club ninth in the Turkish Süper Lig.

The 48-year-old Dutchman's position at the Ali Sami Yen Stadyumu had been weakened by Galatasaray's UEFA Europa League play-off exit at the hands of Ukrainian underdogs FC Karpaty Lviv, and his departure follows the weekend reverse against Ankaragücü.

That setback was Galatasaray's second successive defeat after they were beaten 2-1 at Kardemir Karabükspor before the international break. The team had already lost early ground in the Süper Lig when falling to Sivasspor and Bursaspor in their opening two matches, and with no substantial improvement forthcoming the directors have agreed to end Rijkaard's tenure.

The former Netherlands and FC Barcelona boss had taken the reins in June 2009, leading Galatasaray to a third-place finish last term.

Galatasaray visit city rivals Fenerbahçe SK on Sunday, with the Yellow Canaries fourth in the table, four points behind champions and pacesetters Bursaspor after eight games. Fatih Terim – most recently in charge of the national team – is predicted to be returning for his third spell as Galatasaray coach.