Snoei falls from grace

Former youth coach 
With the club facing demotion from the Dutch top flight for the first time since 1989, Vitesse have decided to take action and replace Snoei, who was appointed last summer. The 39-year-old has been with the Arnhem-based team since 1997, and brought through the likes of Theo Janssen, Mahamadou Diarra, Nick Hofs and Emile Mbamba during a spell as youth coach.

'Very painful'
Vitesse chairman Jos Vaessen said: "Snoei has only been taken off the first team, that's why we don't speak of a discharge. Snoei is getting a break. Something had to happen. Vitesse must stay in the Eredivisie. We have come to the conclusion that there was no change for the better in the performance of the team. And that's why we have decided that a new coach must be placed before the group. It's very painful for a young coach like Snoei."

Sturing tipped 
Edward Sturing, the former Vitesse player who is currently head of youth development, has been asked to take over for the last nine games of the season. Sturing previously led the side in 1999, when Herbert Neumann was sacked, then again in the second half of last term after Ronald Koeman left to join AFC Ajax.

Relegation danger
Vitesse are in 15th place in the table, only three points ahead of bottom club De Graafschap. Since returning to the Eredivisie, Vitesse have achieved 13 consecutive top-six finishes, and this season reached the third round of the UEFA Cup, losing 2-0 on aggregate to Liverpool FC.