Chelsea have terminated the contract of assistant first-team coach Henk ten Cate, the club has confirmed.
The decision was reached following a meeting on Thursday morning.
The news comes five days after manager Avram Grant was sacked despite the club reaching the Champions League final and finishing second in the Premier League.
"As a result of the changes, and in light of any forthcoming appointment, it was clear this is the correct decision," said a club statement.
Former Ajax manager Ten Cate, 53, had said the club told him his position was safe following the dismissal of manager Avram Grant.
The Dutchman joined Chelsea as assistant manager in October, but his fate appears to have been sealed by the club's failure to win a trophy for the first time in four years.
His dismissal suggests Frank Rijkaard is not among the candidates to replace Grant - Ten Cate was assistant to his compatriot at Barcelona when the club won the Champions League in 2006.
The decision was reached following a meeting on Thursday morning.
The news comes five days after manager Avram Grant was sacked despite the club reaching the Champions League final and finishing second in the Premier League.
"As a result of the changes, and in light of any forthcoming appointment, it was clear this is the correct decision," said a club statement.
Former Ajax manager Ten Cate, 53, had said the club told him his position was safe following the dismissal of manager Avram Grant.
The Dutchman joined Chelsea as assistant manager in October, but his fate appears to have been sealed by the club's failure to win a trophy for the first time in four years.
His dismissal suggests Frank Rijkaard is not among the candidates to replace Grant - Ten Cate was assistant to his compatriot at Barcelona when the club won the Champions League in 2006.