Amsterdam - Marco van Basten on Wednesday resigned as Ajax Amsterdam coach after less than a year as he failed to meet his goals with the team.

"He came to the conclusion that he did not meet his goals and that he doesn't have to the feeling to be able to do better next season," Ajax said in a statement on their website.

Ajax said that assistant John van't Schip will coach the team in the final league match with Twente on the weekend.

Ajax can finish no better than third in the league season as they trail number two PSV Eindhoven by four points, with AZ Alkmaar the surprise champions. As a result, they will not play in the lucrative Champions League.

The former Ajax player van Basten joined the club last summer after four years at the helm at the Dutch national team. (dpa)