Feyenoord have confirmed that former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been appointed as their new head coach.
The 40-year-old Dutchman was set to take charge of the Eredivisie side this summer, but he has taken up the role early after the club decided to part ways with Fred Rutten following Sunday's 3-0 defeat to PEC Zwolle.
Feyenoord dropped out of the top three following the loss and have failed to qualify directly for next season's Europa League as a result. They will now face a playoff to reach the third qualifying round of next season's competition.
"Feyenoord coach Fred Rutten left the club on Sunday night. The club management decided that was the best course of action after the 3-0 loss to PEC Zwolle earlier in the day," a statement on Feyenoord's website read.
"Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was already set to take over as head coach at the end of the season, will step into his new role immediately."
Van Bronckhorst, who started and ended his playing career with the Rotterdam giants, was Rutten's assistant at De Kuip.
Steven Toplis
