Ajax Amsterdam announced on Monday that it has immediately parted ways with coach Maurice Stein following a series of four defeats in the league, leaving the team in second-to-last place. Stein (49 years old) joined Ajax in June on a three-year contract after spending a season at Sparta Rotterdam, but his only league victory came against newly promoted Heracles at the start of the season. Stein stated on the club’s website: "We have come to the conclusion that this decision is in the best interests of Ajax, although I feel sorry for it." He added, "Anyone who knows me understands that I did my utmost to bring Ajax back to the position it deserves, but circumstances prevented me from doing so." Ajax has five points from seven matches.