The A-League football club Melbourne Victory have sacked two-time A-League championship winning coach Ernie Merrick.
Merrick, who guided the Victory to grand final wins in the 2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons, was dismissed by the Victory with one year remaining on his contract.
The 57-year-old met with new board chairman Anthony Di Pietro on Saturday morning to be told his services were no longer required.
Merrick was the last foundation coach remaining in the A-League, having held the job since the club and competition's inception six years ago.
He took the club to the finals again this season, but they exited in the first week.
The Victory were also belted 5-1 by Japan's Gamba Osaka in their Asian Champions League opener a fortnight ago.
Speculation has been rife that Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou tops the Victory's wishlist to take over from Merrick.
Postecoglou leads the Roar into the A-League grand final on Sunday against the Central Coast Mariners in Brisbane.
