New York City FC has sacked coach Jason Kreis citing the star-studded club's "disappointing" inaugural Major League Soccer campaign.

"Prior to the start of the season, it was agreed with the coaching team that securing of a playoff place was an appropriate target for this year," the team said in a statement. "A win rate of less than one in three games and a points tally which was the second lowest in the league is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed."

City, backed by English Premier League club Manchester City, had hoped to make a splash in their debut season with a lineup including marquee stars Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo.

But suspect defense and the late arrival of Lampard and Pirlo to the campaign were hindrances in a season in which they finished eighth in the 10-team Eastern Conference and out of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Kreis had been brought in after a successful spell coaching Real Salt Lake. He signed on after the 2013 MLS season, sitting out 2014 in order to coach City in their debut campaign.