Preud'homme quits Twente

Michel Preud'homme has stepped down as manager of FC Twente to take up a lucrative job offer in Saudi Arabia.

Belgian steps down to take up new challenge in Saudi Arabia

Michel Preud'homme has stepped down as manager of FC Twente to take up a lucrative job offer in Saudi Arabia. The former Belgium goalkeeper has only been in charge of the club for one season but he enjoyed great success, leading Twente to Dutch Cup glory and second place in the Eredivisie. He has now decided to embark on a fresh challenge with Saudi side Al-Shabab, who presented Preud'homme with a contract which proved too tempting to resist. Preud'homme said: said: "I have enjoyed working at FC Twente. It's been a fantastic year in terms of results for both the club and also for myself. "It's very good that the club have understood my situation. I wish FC Twente the best for the future, which looks very rosy."

Respect

Twente chairman Joop Munsterman made it clear last week that he would not stand in Preud'homme's way if the manager wanted to move on. Preud'homme was named manager of the season in Holland, and Twente have Champions League football to look forward to in the coming campaign. Munsterman said: "It's amazing what Michel Preud'homme did last season for FC Twente. There was a new coaching staff, 14 players left, 11 new players arrived. "Michel enjoys a lot of respect from FC Twente. And it's not for nothing that his colleagues have chosen him as coach of the year. "We wish Michel great success in his new job. We are sure that he will be successful there given his expertise." A number of names have already been mentioned as possible successors to Preud'homme, including Frank Rijkaard, Gertjan Verbeek and Michael Skibbe.