Neeskens not needed by NEC

Time to go
The 53-year-old Neeskens originally had a contract until the end of the season but the Dutch club have made their decision with immediate effect. "The club was of the opinion that, given the team's current situation, there were no further prospects for this partnership," said NEC, who lost 3-2 at last-placed De Graafschap on Sunday.

New man wanted
Neeskens, the ex-AFC Ajax and FC Barcelona midfielder, had been with NEC since the 2000/01 campaign, and led the club to fifth place in 2002/03 to secure European football for the first time in 20 years. NEC have put the former Dutch international's assistants Cees Lok and Ron de Groot in temporary charge while they use the winter break to look for a successor.