Feyenoord have sacked their manager, Brian Priske, after just seven months, blaming inconsistent results and a “lack of chemistry” with senior club staff.

The 47-year-old Dane was appointed in July as the successor to Arne Slot after the latter moved to English Premier League club Liverpool.

Rumours swirled round De Kuip three weeks ago that Priske’s departure was imminent, but he staved off the threat by leading the team to a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, clinching progress from the group stage.

However, a 6-1 defeat to Lille in the final group match, coupled with a 2-1 loss to bitter rivals Ajax in the league and elimination from the Dutch Cup at the hands of PSV sealed his fate.

In a statement on the club’s website, managing director Dennis te Kloese said: “Although Feyenoord certainly achieved spectacular results in the UEFA Champions League with Brian, in recent months everything has been far too inconsistent and unfortunately we have not seen enough substantial progress.”

Feyenoord currently stand fifth in the league, 12 points adrift of Ajax and PSV and three points behind Utrecht in the coveted third Champions League qualifying spot, albeit with a game in hand.

Assistant coaches Lukas Babalola Andersson and Björn Hamberg are also leaving the club. Under-21 coach Pascal Bosschart will take charge of Feyenoord’s next game, the Champions League play-off first leg match at home to AC Milan.

The Italian club could field Feyenoord’s top scorer for the season, Santiago Gimenez, who left Rotterdam for Milan for €35 million during the winter transfer period.