Turkey's Fenerbahce said on Thursday they had parted ways with head coach Erol Bulut by mutual agreement, and added that former midfielder and sporting director Emre Belozoglu was appointed as caretaker for the remainder of the season.
Fenerbahce, Turkey's second most decorated club, are third in the top-tier Super Lig after 30 games, two points behind bitter rivals Galatasaray in second place and five off leaders Besiktas, who have a match in hand.
However, despite a good start to the season, the team have been unable to maintain their momentum in the second half of the campaign. They have won just two matches in their last five.
"Upon our board's decision, our sporting director Emre Belozoglu will work as our football team's technical officer," the club said in a statement.
"We wish our team, which will continue its battle in the Super Lig under Emre Belozoglu's leadership, success."
Belozoglu played for Fenerbahce for eight seasons, and was also a member of Turkey's national team squad. He has been working as Fenerbahce's sporting director for the past year.
In January, Fenerbahce signed 32-year-old German midfielder Mesut Ozil on a 3-1/2 year deal, in a landmark move for the team that the player regards as his boyhood club.
(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Ken Ferris)
