Roberto Di Matteo has resigned as Schalke head coach after just seven months in the role.
The Italian was drafted in to replace Jens Keller after the Gelsenkirchen side took just eight points from their first seven league matches and were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by Dynamo Dresden.
"[General manager] Horst Heldt and I have not only worked together for the last seven months, but we directed our attention to the plans for the coming season," Di Matteo told the club's official website.
"I indicated a plan for a possible successful future. Although the discussions with Horst Heldt were always constructive, it became clear that the club wants to focus on other priorities.
"It seems to be that a fresh start is best for everyone. Therefore I came to the conclusion to resign my position as head coach."
At one stage of the campaign Schalke climbed as high as third in the table, while they also put up a valiant effort in a 5-4 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.
