Gullit's decision was not a shock to the club

Feyenoord coach Ruud Gullit and his assistant Zeljko Petrovic have resigned after less than a year in charge.

He took them to fourth in the league 25 behind champions PSV Eindhoven, but the club said their strained relationship meant the news did not come as a shock.

"We knew for several months, but it was wise to wait until the end of the season in the club's best interests," said chairman Jorien van den Herik.

"I can't let people walk all over me," responded Gullit.

He also blamed the lack of long-term security for the club's erratic performances this season.

"I wanted to know if Feyenoord were able to fulfil my plans - I already had doubts that that would happen and the answer has been negative," he said.

"We knew that things within the club were being played through the media, but nobody stood up to say this should end.

"That is why we had a restless season."

"It is always miserable when a coach says goodbye, but things didn't go as we had all hoped," said Van den Herik.

"There was not enough trust in a successful co-operation for next season."