Heerenveen call time on Sollied reign

SC Heerenveen have parted company with coach Trond Sollied despite the team's success in reaching the UEFA Europa League group stage, following a poor start to the Dutch Eredivisie season.

'Inevitable'
In the wake of Sunday's 2-0 defeat at NAC Breda, Sollied held talks with Heerenveen officials which resulted in the following statement from the Friesland club: "The Heerenveen board regrets this decision but also thinks it was inevitable. The club owes a lot to Trond Sollied for what he has achieved. He was the first coach in Heerenveen's history to win a trophy."

Double departure
Sollied led Heerenveen to a penalties victory over FC Twente in the Dutch Cup final in May, capping his debut season at the Abe Lenstra Stadion. The 50-year-old Norwegian now moves on, however, along with assistant Chris Van Puyvelde, after a run of one win and three losses from the side's first five league games. Youth coach Jan de Jonge takes temporary charge. Heerenveen were drawn alongside Sporting Clube de Portugal, Hertha BSC Berlin and FK Ventspils in Group D of the inaugural UEFA Europa League.