Odisha FC have terminated head coach Kiko Ramirez’s contract after just ten matches at the helm, the club announced in a statement on its website on Friday.

The Bhubaneswar-based outfit sit in ninth position in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table after ten matches and are four points behind fourth-placed Mumbai City FC.

“Odisha FC has terminated Head Coach Kiko Ramirez's contract. This has been a very difficult decision and not one that the club owners and management have taken lightly,” the statement read.

“After lengthy deliberation and consideration amongst the club's technical committee, it was decided a change is needed now to give the club time to improve performances and results this season. The club would like to thank Kiko for his efforts and wishes him the best for the future. The club shall make further announcements in due course,” it added.

Odisha FC made a fast start to the Hero ISL 2021-22 season with three wins in their first four matches, but their form dipped thereafter as they recorded just one victory in their last six matches.

The club have never finished in the top four in Hero ISL and with ambitions to make the semi-finals this time around, Odisha FC have decided to have a change in direction with exactly half a season to go.

Odisha FC had acquired some top foreign signings in the summer, most notably Javier Hernandez and Jonathas de Jesus. But results haven’t matched their ambitions so far.

The Bhubaneswar-based outfit face NorthEast United FC in their next match on Tuesday and will be hoping to turn their fortunes around as they eye a spot in the semi-finals.