Frank de Boer steps down as Ajax coach

"Frank de Boer is quitting as Ajax trainer. He told the club's board in a meeting," Ajax said in a statement issued in Amsterdam.

De Boer's announcement comes after Ajax drew 1-1 against minnows De Graafschap on Sunday while defending champions PSV retained their hold on the trophy with a 3-1 victory against PEC Zwolle.

Ajax needed a win to claim the 34th championship in the club's 116-year history.

PSV's victory saw wild parties in their southern home base Eindhoven, but in the Dutch capital many Ajax fans slinked off in despair at the end of the highly anticipated televised match.

"After four national championships the 2014-15 season was a disappointment and we wanted to fix it this season," said De Boer, a former Ajax player, in the statement.

"We've done everything. But alas, what we hoped for and were expecting didn't happen.

"I'm realising more-and-more that it's time to do something else. It's better for me and it's better for Ajax," said De Boer, indicating that he may take a year off from any coaching duties.

"It's an option, but I'll wait and see what lies ahead on the road."

De Boer's last official job will be taking the team on a season-ending tour to China, leaving from the Netherlands on Friday, Ajax said.