Been leaves Feyenoord hotseat

Published Jul. 13, 2011 3:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

The 47-year-old took charge of the Rotterdam club in 2009, but they struggled for form last season and could only manage a 10th-placed finish in the league. Feyenoord posted a statement on their official website on Wednesday, saying Been made the decision to leave after being made aware the players no longer wanted him at the helm. "Been came to his decision yesterday after captain Ron Vlaar told technical director Martin Van Geel that the majority of players had lost confidence in any further cooperation with the coach," the club said. "Been left the training camp in Ermelo and said he would immediately quit as head coach of Feyenoord." Van Gaal admitted Been's resignation had been a "bolt from the blue". "We are extremely surprised by this. It is deeply regrettable, especially considering the timing," he said. "We'd had no signs that pointed to such a fatal breach in trust from the majority of the squad." The new Eredivisie season gets under way in just over three weeks and Van Geel is now charged with the task of finding a new coach as quickly as possible. "The news is too fresh to have had a good think about a solution," he said. "The main thing now is for the management and the players to find a successful outcome this week."