Eric Gerets is no longer the coach of PSV Eindhoven as the combined result of a below-par season and a high-profile falling-out with club supremo Harry van Raaij.
"Club president Harry van Raaij and Eric Gerets decided it best to discontinue their association," read a statement issued by PSV. "As a consequence, Gerets will leave his job at the end of the 2001-02 season."
The departure of the former Bruges boss who has repeatedly been linked to the vacant Real Mallorca job in recent months - has opened the door for popular assistant coach Erwin Koeman, who is expected to be announced the new man in charge in Eindhoven.
PSV have endured a disappointing season by their own high standards, as they failed to make it past the first round of the Champions League, suffered the indignity of being bounced from the Uefa Cup quarter-finals by Dutch rivals Feyenoord, as well as having finished second behind Ajax in their bid for the third successive Eredivisie title.
05/28/2002. One Belgian coach could come after another one's departure: former Belgium, Club Bruges & Anderlecht manager Georges Leekens, now with Roda Kerkrade, is said to be interested in the vacant position at PSV Eindhoven. The 2001 Dutch champions fired fellow Belgian coach Eric Gerets last week and are therefore looking for a new coach.
05/29/2002. PSV Eindhoven president Harry van Raay has confirmed he is considering offering former Dutch coach Guus Hiddink the vacant managers job.
Hiddink, who managed PSV between 1986 and 1990, is currently in charge of World Cup co-hosts South Korea, where he has done a great job so far in preparation for the finals.
Eric Gerets resigned from the Dutch runners-up earlier this month and the club have hinted that they are looking at appointing a Dutchman this time, which rules out Belgium candidate Georges Leekens.
Van Raay told PSV's official website: "Guus Hiddink is very high on our list.
"Hiddink has a few advantages. He is highly experienced, he knows the club and the culture of PSV, so he is an important candidate.
"He is high on the list. Is he the highest? I won't say that, I don't want to make the impression that we exclude anyone," Van Raay adde