Johannesburg - Former French coach Henri Michel has parted ways with South African Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns, the team announced late Monday.

In a statement the club said that the two parties had agreed to part ways with "a gentleman's agreement."

However, Michel's axing had been widely expected after the club had lost a league match against city rivals SuperSport 4-1 last week and then been knocked out of the cup on the weekend.

The Cup defeat against Platinum Stars resulted in Michel needing a police escort to protect him from enraged fans.

Michel has a long pedigree in African football, having previously coached the national teams of Cameroon, Tunisia and Morocco, as well as several African club teams.

Sundowns are considered South Africa's equivalent to Chelsea and are owned by billionaire Patrice Motsepe.

The mining magnate thanked Michel for his time with the club.

"Henri Michel made a huge contribution to the standard and quality of football at Sundowns and in South Africa," he said.

"We wish him all of the very best in his future endeavours and he will continue to be part of the Sundowns family."

Former coach Ted Dumitru, who was in charge of the club's youth academy, will take over on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, the club said. (dpa)