Jean Tigana is set to leave Fulham in the summer after the club announced his contract would not be extended beyond the end of the season.
In a 'personal letter' to the manager, reproduced on the club's website, www.fulhamfc.co.uk, chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, wrote: "I have never doubted your abilities as a coach and, equally, do recognise that there have been many achievements during your time at the club of which you can rightly be proud.
"Obviously, our position in the Premier League both this year and last year has been disappointing, particularly given the degree of investment and resources provided, and I am sure you would be the first to agree."
The contracts of assistant manager Christian Damiano and fitness coach Roger Propos are also not being renewed. The club confirmed that while Tigana would continue in his duties until the end of the campaign as Fulham battle to secure their top-flight status, the search for a new manager has already begun.
There has been speculation for several weeks over the future of the man brought to Craven Cottage in July 2000, despite Tigana himself admitting publicly he did not want to leave.
The Frenchman won 52 caps for his country during a glittering career which took in both the World Cup and European Championship success.
He then made a comfortable transition to the dugout with Lyon and Monaco, where he guided the French side into the Champions League where they ended Manchester United's interest in the 1998 competition.
Tigana arrived at Craven Cottage seen as the final piece in the jigsaw to take the club back into the top flight.
Fulham set a new record by winning their first 11 games of the season and went on to claim the First Division title with 101 points ahead of Blackburn.