Belgian champions KRC Genk have announced the departure of coach Frank Vercauteren, who is set to join United Arab Emirates outfit al-Jazira Club.

The 54-year-old sat on the Genk bench for the last time on Wednesday as his team lost the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off 2-1 away to Maccabi Haifa FC. The second leg of the champions route tie takes place in Belgium on Tuesday when Pierre Denier and Hans Visser, who were Vercauteren's assistants, will be in charge.

Dirk Degraen, Genk's general director, said: "We were officially told on Thursday morning that Frank is leaving. I want to thank Vercauteren for all he has done for the club."

Genk hope to have installed a replacement for the former KV Mechelen, RSC Anderlecht and Belgium coach, who succeeded Hein Vanhaezebrouck in December 2009, by the beginning of next month.