Thijssen named caretaker coach at Brisbane Roar

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Ex-Netherlands international Frans Thijssen will take over as caretaker head coach at the defending A-League champion Brisbane Roar after Mike Mulvey was fired suddenly on the weekend.

Mulvey, who took the job in 2012-13 and was last season's A-League coach of the year, became the first coach to be axed this season in the top-flight domestic competition. The Roar has five losses and one win from its first six games.

Roar managing director Sean Dobson announced Mulvey's departure late Sunday, saying it followed a review of off-season activities as well as the team's poor season start.

Thijssen was unveiled as the interim coach on Monday and will remain in the post until the end of the season.