Eyal Berkovic has resigned as manager of Hapoel Tel Aviv.

The former Premier League star informed club chairman Haim Ramon of his decision in an angry text message, where he is reported to have written: “I quit you worthless coward”.

Berkovic was appointed manager last May with a brief to adapt the club’s squad to troubled financial conditions, and help find a new owner. The club is currently in eighth position in Ligat Ha’al, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

Berkovic’s resignation comes as no surprise. Since the transfer window opened at the beginning of the month new players have been brought in and others released without his knowledge. At the same time, chief coach Asi Domb has stopped heeding Berkovic’s suggested substitutions during matches.