Liverpool cult hero sacked just five months into disastrous first managerial job

Former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has been sacked by ADO Den Haag less than six months after taking charge of the Dutch club.

Kuyt, who played for Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, retired from football in 2017 – three days after securing boyhood club Feyenoord their first Eredivisie title since 1999 with a hat-trick on the final day of the season.

The 42-year-old made the move into management this summer, taking charge of Dutch second-division side ADO.

But he has lasted just 176 days in the job.

Kuyt sacked after less than six months

Dutch media outlet AD reported on Thursday that Kuyt had been sacked, with ADO acting during a break in the season for the World Cup.

He was dismissed after managing just four wins from 16 league games this season, form which has left ADO 17^th in the table.

Kuyt, who scored 71 goals in 286 matches for Liverpool, was expected to challenge for promotion with Den Haag this season.

But his time in charge of the club was beset by problems both on and off the pitch.

Technical manager Daryl Janmaat resigned midway through the campaign, while key players Thomas Verheydt and Ricardo Kishna submitted transfer requests.

Meanwhile, police officers attended ADO's training ground in September after receiving intelligence that fans were planning to stage a protest.

The final straw came earlier this month when Kuyt's side were beaten 1-0 at home by Roda.

That defeat left the club fourth bottom of the table, with just 16 points from 16 games.

ADO will now look to appoint a replacement for Kuyt before their next match on December 11.