Frank Arnesen has vacated his position as sporting director at Hamburger SV by mutual consent.

The 56-year-old, who moved to the German outfit in February 2011 after ending his five-year employment with Chelsea, was under contract until June 2014.

However, that contract was terminated following a meeting with the club's board on Tuesday.

A statement from the Hamburg board cited that a "difference in opinions concerning the long-term direction of the club" was behind the decision to part company with the Dane.

The statement continued: "This season's performance is an indicator of his successful time here. We would like to wish him all the best for the future both personally and professionally."

Hamburg finished the season seventh in the Bundesliga table, meaning that they failed to secure European football for a second successive campaign.