Stevens quits as coach of Austria’s Salzburg

SALZBURG, Austria (AP)—Coach Huub Stevens and sports director Dietmar Beiersdorfer have left Austrian champion Red Bull Salzburg with immediate effect.

The club said in a statement Friday they parted company by mutual consent but did not disclose further details.

Technical trainer Ricardo Moniz will replace Stevens until the end of the season, while former Croatia international Niko Kovac has been appointed sports director.

Salzburg was eliminated in the group stage of the Europa League and is third in Austria’s domestic league, trailing leader Austria Vienna by five points with nine matches remaining.

Stevens, a former PSV Eindhoven player and Dutch international, and Beiersdorfer joined Salzburg in 2009.