Ten Cate's ferocious temper and abrasive personality have shattered dressing-room spirit and even left one member of his staff needing psychiatric treatment for two years.

Vitesse Arnhem president Charles Aalbers explained to the News of the World: "I HAD to sack Ten Cate because there was such a bad relationship between him and my players.

"Every day Ten Cate had an emotional argument with someone. With him, you have a top coach at your club but also a volcano."

His reputation hit rock bottom at Dutch side NAC Breda when he became involved in a public BRAWL with one of his own coaching staff.

Breda technical director Jan Rad recalled: "It was a tragic season with Ten Cate. He had private troubles with our team manager, Cor Bloks, and with the physiotherapist, Jan Lukx.

"Things got so bad that one day there was even a fight between Ten Cate and the manager in the club car park. Lukx was affected so badly by the constant rows and aggression that we had to send him for psychiatric help. He was still receiving help two years after Ten Cate left."

The relationship between Ten Cate and the Breda players was no better.

Midfielder Jeffrey van As admitted: "On the pitch there's no better coach than Ten Cate but, socially, he fights on every front. When I said something in the newspaper about the treatment of the physiotherapist, he came in the next day and threw the paper in my face.

"He simply said to me, 'F*** off and go join your friend!' "