PSV coach Mark van Bommel has been sacked after a dismal run of form that has seen the club slump to fourth place in the Eredivisie.

The Eindhoven club have won just two of their last 12 matches in all competitions and were knocked out of the Europa League group stage following heavy defeats by Sporting Lisbon and LASK Linz.

Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Feyenoord, who dismissed their manager Jaap Stam at the end of October and appointed Dick Advocaat, proved the final straw for Van Bommel, who insisted after the match: ‘Even if I have to fight the whole world, I’m not giving up.’

Twelve months ago Van Bommel’s side were favourites to win the league after winning 16 of their first 17 Eredivisie matches, but were overhauled in the last weeks of the season by Ajax. This year they started brightly, drawing 1-1 with the champions in September, but they currently lie in fourth place behind AZ Alkmaar and local rivals Willem II Tilburg.

General director Toon Verbrands issued a statement on behalf of the club’s leadership in which he described the decline as ‘too great and unworthy of PSV.’

‘PSV is a club where we try to help and support each other. That has been the case in recent months as well. The interests of the club has always come first.

‘The evaluation has ultimately resulted in this painful decision. We have done all we can as a group to turn the tide. Sadly it has not succeeded.’