Georges Leekens, the Belgian national team coach who made such an impression when his side played Ireland in the qualification play-offs for France '98 has been sacked following a poor run of results during the build up to next summer's European Championships.

The final blow for Leekens came last week when Belgium were beaten 4-3 at home in a friendly with Finland. Afterwards the manager admitted that he had been considering quitting the job at halftime such was his frustration with his team's performance.

In the end the decision was taken for him with the association opting to switch horses now and give a new man, 59-year-old former Standard Liege and Charleroi coach Robert Waseige, a chance to get things right before the European Championships which Belgium are co-hosting.