Former Wolves and Sunderland midfielder Carl Robinson has been released as head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Robinson, who picked up 52 caps for Wales between 1999 and 2009, headed across the Atlantic after spells at Norwich and Portsmouth, playing in the latter’s promotion-winning side of 2002-03.

He took the reigns of the Whitecaps, who play in Major League Soccer, in December 2013 and recorded 75 wins and 75 losses in his 200 games at the helm, guiding the club to a Canadian Championship in 2015 and the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions League in 2016-17.

Bob Lenarduzzi, club president, said: “We have a lot of respect and appreciation for Carl and his team, and are thankful for the contributions they have made to this club.

“A lot of thought and consideration has gone into this decision, which was made with the best interests of the club moving forward.

“As we look to 2019 and beyond, we are committed to being a championship contender and a global search for a coach to lead this vision will start today.”

With five games left in the season, Vancouver sit four points off the play-offs in the Western Conference.