Former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt sacked from first managerial job after just 176 days at the helm
- Seb Sternik
- 24 November 2022
Dirk Kuyt has been sacked as manager of Dutch outfit ADO Den Haag following a disastrous start to the Eerste Divisie season.
As reported by Dutch news outlet AD, the former Liverpool forward lasted just 176 days in charge.
The 42-year-old took the job in the summer, becoming the fourth manager at The Hague since Alan Pardew in 2020.
Kuyt's career in the dugout got off to a rocky start as ADO Den Haag experienced their worst ever start to a season.
The team lost all three of their opening games, conceding nine goals along the way.
Things began to pick up as Kuyt oversaw victories over PEC Zwolle and FC Eindhoven.
However, those results were quickly overshadowed by their current five-match winless run which has seen Den Haag slip to 17th in the Dutch second tier.
The club were relegated from the Eredivisie after the 2020/2021 season and consequently dropped down to the Eerste Divisie.
Den Haag almost sealed immediate promotion last season after finishing fourth and bagging a spot in the play-offs.
The club reached the final and took Excelsior to penalties following a 5-5 draw after two legs. In dramatic fashion, it was the Rotterdam outfit who prevailed 8-7 from the spot.
Den Haag's hopes of another play-off push appear unrealistic on this occasion. Under Kuyt, the team have won just four of their 16 games and find themselves eight points adrift of the top eight.
The club is yet to announce who will take over from Kuyt for the remainder of the season.
