FC Zurich is losing its trainer, Gilbert Gress. In a statement, the club said Gress's contract was being terminated as of June 15 by mutual agreement.

The president of the top division club, Sven Hotz, said he expected a successor to be named in the coming days, but not until a new manager had been appointed. "This is our priority at the moment," Hotz said.

Hotz is believed to be in discussions with the former FC Basel manager, Erich Vogel, about a move to Zurich.

Both FC Zurich and its trainer have denied that Gress's departure has anything to do with the club's recent poor performance. It ended up bottom of the A League after notching up just 12 points in 14 games.

"Clearly I backed the wrong players," Gress told the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. He said he would now be taking up an offer from a foreign team.

The announcement that Gress was leaving came just a day after Lucerne reported it had dismissed its coach, Andy Egli. But Hotz said he had no plans at present to appoint Egli.

"At the moment he's not under consideration," Hotz said. "But I will certainly be discussing the appointment with the new manager."

Several French clubs are reported to be interested in Gress, who comes originally from Alsace. "Toulouse has been interested in me for a long time," Gress said. "Perhaps I will go there."

Gress, 59, took over as trainer with FC Zurich in April 2000 after Raimonde Ponte was sacked. At the time he signed a contract until summer 2002.

Before arriving in Zurich, Gress was Swiss national coach for 18 games, resulting in six wins, six losses and six draws.

swissinfo with agencies

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