PSV Eindhoven coach Phillip Cocu has had a tumour successfully removed from his back, the club said yesterday.

“The club’s medical staff is satisfied with the way the operation went but are not available for further comment,” a statement on the PSV website psv.nl said.

“The club makes an urgent request to respect Phillip Cocu’s privacy and wishes him much fortitude on the road to a healthy recovery.

He will need all his energy and strength in the time ahead for his recovery process.”

Cocu will be off work for an undisclosed period of time and his assistant Ernst Faber will take temporary charge of the team on a temporary basis.

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