Soccer: Melbourne Victory sack coach

Ernie Merrick was dismissed by the Victory with one year remaining on his contract. Photo / Getty Images

Melbourne Victory have sacked two-time A-League soccer championship winning coach Ernie Merrick.

Merrick, who guided the A-League club to grand final wins in the 2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons, was dismissed by the Victory with one year remaining on his contract.

The 57-year-old met with new board chairman Anthony Di Pietro on Saturday morning to be told his services were no longer required.

Merrick was the last foundation coach remaining in the A-League, having held the job since the club and competition's inception six years ago.

He took the club to the finals again this season, but they exited in the first week.

His last match in charge of the Victory was a heavy 5-1 defeat by Japan's Gamba Osaka in the Asian Champions League earlier this month.

Youth team coach and former Socceroo Mehmet Durakovic will take charge of the team for the remainder of the Asian Champions League.

Di Pietro, who defended both the timing and the decision to terminate Merrick's contract just one match into the six-match ACL campaign, said the board was unhappy with Victory's season and the opening match defeat in Japan.

"Our club sets extremely high standards and we are disappointed with the results of the recent A-League season and also our start to the Champions League campaign," said Di Pietro, who has recently succeeded Geoff Lord as club chairman.

"Our intent is to continue to be the benchmark club in the A-League. We wish to be successful in Asia and believe this decision will assist in taking us to that level."

- AAP