Saudi Arabia sacks coach Frank Rijkaard

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday sacked the national football team's manager Frank Rijkaard after his team failed to pass the group stage of the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations in Bahrain.

"The decision to fire Rijkaard was taken unanimously during the board meeting," a source close to the meeting told AFP.

Rijkaard is the second manager to lose his job at the championship after Qatar announced the dismissal of Brazilian coach Paulo Autuori on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia beat Yemen 2-0 but suffered defeats to Iraq and Kuwait.

Rijkaard's contract with Saudi Arabia was reportedly worth $9m, with a penalty clause of more than $4m in case of dismissal, AFP said.

The former Netherlands coach guided Barcelona to two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy before helping Galatasaray win the Turkish Cup.

During a trophy-laden playing career, the Dutch international midfielder played for Ajax in Holland and was later part of an AC Milan team that dominated European football.

He represented his national side 73 times, scoring 10 goals.