Feyenoord have announced that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will step down as head coach at the end of the season.
The 43-year-old former Barcelona and Netherlands star is eager to pursue a new challenge after a hugely successful spell in charge, which began in 2015.
Van Bronckhorst, who started and finished his playing career in Rotterdam, won two KNVB Bekers, two Johan Cruyff Shields and the 2016-17 Eredivisie title, Feyenoord's first since 1999.
"There is still a lot to fight for this season. We have to secure European football through the league or the cup. I'm looking forward to that," he told the club's official website.
"At the same time, I've been thinking a lot about whether I want to stay for one or more years as head coach of Feyenoord after this season. That was a very difficult decision, because Feyenoord are in my heart.
"However, in my career I have always followed my feelings and my feeling now says I shouldn't do that."
Technical director Martin van Geel said: "Gio is really an emotional person. If he has an idea himself of wanting something different after this season, we can only respect that.
"We are already very grateful to him for his great contribution in the recent, unprecedented successful period of the club."
NIEUWS
Giovanni van Bronckhorst stopt na dit seizoen als hoofdtrainer van #Feyenoord.
Details & reacties https://t.co/AwJLLapRdf— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) January 24, 2019
