The Czech coach's departure comes amid two disappointing seasons since leading it to the premiership-championship double in his first season in 2009-10.

Sydney FC chief executive Dirk Melton said the club met Lavicka earlier this week, with both parties agreeing it was time for a ``new direction'' at the club.

Lavicka said he was sad to depart but had struggled living away from his wife and two daughters, who have been in Prague for the past 12 months.

Melton said the Sky Blues would immediately begin their search for a 2012-13 coach and would consider both international and domestic candidates.

Central Coast coach Graham Arnold and Italian great Gianfranco Zola are among some early names being linked with the club, but Melton stressed the process to find a replacement would be a thorough one.

``There's a pretty structured framework that we're working through in regards to the recruitment so, like the recruitment of any senior position in any business or industry in the world, it's got to be done in the right way,'' Melton said.