The 2007 Asian Champions League winners made the decision after Reds suffered two defeats in the league, losing 1-0 to Yokohama F Marinos on March 8 and 2-0 at home to Nagoya Grampus Eight on Saturday.

Osieck's assistant Gert Engels, who guided Kyogo Purple Sanga to the 2002 Emperors Cup title, has taken over with immediate effect.

The move came came after a meeting between club manager Mitsunori Fujiguchi and general manager Shuzo Nakamura on Saturday night.

The two informed the 59-year-old German of their decision on Sunday morning.

Reds won the Asian Champions League in November in their first appearance in the competition and finished third in the FIFA Club World Cup in December last year.

But they failed to capture the J.League title as well as the Emperors Cup.

Osieck signed Japan striker Naohiro Takahara and Brazilian forward Edmilson as well as Japan Under-23 midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki during the close season in a bid to strengthen his side's title bid this time round.

But they made the worst start possible with successive defeats, prompting the club to take action.

It brings to an end Osieck's second reign at Urawa after first guiding the club to fourth place in the 1995 season.