Frank De Boer leaves his role as Ajax Manager

Ajax have announced manager Frank de Boer has left the club after agreeing an early termination to his contract at the Amsterdam ArenA.

The 45-year-old was in charge of the club for five and a half seasons after taking over from Martin Jol in December 2010.

De Boer led Ajax to four consecutive Eredivisie titles in a stunning start to his reign, but lost out to PSV in each of the last two seasons.

The 2015-16 campaign came to a painful conclusion as Ajax missed out on the title despite being top of the table going into the last week of the season, when their shock 1-1 draw at second-bottom De Graafschap gifted PSV the league.

“After winning four league titles in succession, the 2014-15 season was a disappointment,” said De Boer. “We wanted to rectify that in the last season and we did everything, but it did not become what we had all hoped for and expected.

“I started to realise more that it was time for something else. It’s better for me and I think also for Ajax. What I will do, I do not know yet. A year without a club is also an option and I will see what comes my way.

“I cherish above all the beautiful memories, with winning the 30th league title as the absolute highlight. Wherever I am, I will continue to follow closely. Ajax is my club and always will be.”

The former Netherlands international’s agent Guido Albers recently revealed his client would “love to manage Everton or Valencia” – two of the teams he has been linked with joining.

De Boer’s Ajax contract had been due to expire in July 2017.