Head coach Cruyff and Maccabi owner Mitch Goldhar announced that a mutual decision has been reached and the search to find a successor has already begun.

Cruyff said: "I came thinking that I'd be here for just a couple of seasons and it's turned out to be six years. I love this city, this club and the country.

“We now feel as if the time has come to move on and I'm very grateful to everyone that has helped us, in both the good and the bad times.

Cruyff, 44, has spent six years at Maccabi, five of which were spent as director of football. He took charge of the team at the beginning of the season and hopes to bow out with a bang – by winning the Ligat Ha’Al title.

“I want thank everyone during the past six years, we have had a very good relationship and we thought it was a good moment to sit and discuss,” he said.

“I have to thank a lot of staff and players that helped us fight for success. I am very happy and grateful to all of those. I will miss it here for sure but I know that this has been a very important chapter in my life.

“We spoke about this a few times and it was ideal now that we could sit here together. We wanted to finish the speculation quickly and take two to three months to bring a new coach in. It’s an ideal way for a club to prepare.

“We still have nine games left and we are fighting for the title. We have to put our focus and energy into that so we can end my time here well. We are always analysing and looking and our focus is to win the title.”

Goldhar thanked Cruyff for his “commitment, effort and professionalism” over the last six years. “We have become close friends,” he commented. “We have been on a unique journey together which has involved some memorable moments including the first Championship, the treble and qualifying for the Champions League Group stages. Jordi has helped put Maccabi back on the map both in Israel and in Europe.

“All good things need to come to an end at some point. We both felt that the end of the season would be a good place for us to go in new directions.

“Jordi and I will remain in contact and he will always be welcome at Maccabi. I hope that the staff and players will work hard to ensure Jordi leaves Maccabi in the best possible way.”