Club Brugge part company with Koster

Club Brugge KV have parted company with coach Adrie Koster following a 5-4 home loss to KRC Genk that left the club fourth in the Belgian First League, four points off the summit.

Koster watched his side surrender a 4-2 lead to lose Saturday's game, which followed defeats by fellow UEFA Europa League Group H leaders Birmingham City FC, a Belgian Cup exit at the hands of KAA Gent and a setback at KV Kortrijk in the league. The 56-year-old had been in charge since April 2009 and led Club Brugge to fourth spot last term.

"Our game play often was positive, but the facts are that we lost four times in a row and we can only keep a lead until the ends of matches," said sporting director Sven Vermant, who has placed assistant coach Rudi Verkempinck and reserve-team coach Philippe Clement in temporary charge. "For a top club with ambition, that is not good enough. This is not a nice decision to make, but we have to look forward and start looking for a new coach."