Sydney FC sack coach Farina

Sydney: Australian club Sydney FC on Wednesday announced they had fired Frank Farina and were seeking a new coach after being eliminated in the A-League play-offs.

The former national coach paid the price for a mixed season which saw the big spending outfit rally to finish fifth in the 10-team league. "Frank joined us as coach in a difficult period last season and has always given his absolute dedication and commitment to the club," chairman Scott Barlow said. "Frank has shown great integrity and resolve in what has been often challenging circumstances this year," he added. Farina, who coached the Socceroos from 1999-2005, had been brought in during November 2012 with Sydney bottom of the A-League despite boasting Italian star Alessandro Del Piero. The Sydney FC board said in a statement it had launched the process for appointing a new head coach. Farina, who fell out of favour with the fans, reportedly had a clause in his contract allowing him to be sacked if the Sky Blues failed to make the top four this season. Italian superstar Del Piero has scored dazzling goals in his stint at Sydney but they have not been enough to push the team into the top ranks. He may well have played his last game for Sydney FC when Melbourne Victory knocked them out of the title race in the first play-off last Friday. Del Piero, who turns 40 in November, said he was looking forward to a rest after his second season in the A-League and was talking to Sydney FC officials about his future.