Dhaka: Bangladesh football chiefs on Tuesday sacked their Italian coach Fabio Lopez after a disastrous three-month stint in charge of the national team, with a 4-0 home defeat to Australia proving the last straw.

‘We've decided to terminate the contract with the current head coach Fabio Lopez,’ Bangladesh Football Federation vice-president Kazi Nabil Ahmed told reporters, a week after the drubbing at the hands of the Socceroos in a World Cup qualifier.

The 42-year-old was only appointed in September, taking over from Dutchman Lodewijk de Kruif, but he failed to win any of his matches in charge.

As well as the loss in Dhaka against Australia, Lopez also presided over two other defeats in the qualifying rounds for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, against Kyrgyzstan (2-0) and Tajikistan (5-0).

The team fared little better on a recent tour of China, losing twice against club sides.

Lopez has also previously managed club sides in Lithuania, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives.  

Local coach Maruful Haque was named as Lopez's replacement, although it was not clear how long he would be in charge.