VfB Stuttgart have axed head coach Markus Weinzierl following a 6-0 thrashing by Augsburg which left them still uncertain about their Bundesliga survival.
Weinzierl had taken charge of Die Roten in early October following the sacking of Tayfun Korkut, signing a contract which ran until the summer of 2020.
We didn't take this decision lightly, but VfB's success comes first and we have to act accordingly.
Thomas Hitzlsperger
However, he has been shown the door with Stuttgart currently down in 18th place in the standings, a position which would see them involved in a relegation play-off - while they are also far from certain of avoiding automatic relegation.
Weinzierl has been replaced by Under-19s coach Nico Willig, with head of sport Thomas Hitzlsperger saying that the club hierarchy felt they simply had to make a change.
He told the club's official website: "We stated several times that we wanted to bring the season to a successful conclusion with Markus Weinzierl and his coaching team.
"However, after the extremely disappointing match in Augsburg we chose to review the situation again and decided that a clear break is necessary in order to secure our Bundesliga survival.
"We didn't take this decision lightly, but VfB's success comes first and we have to act accordingly.
"We believe Nico is capable of quickly bringing fresh impetus to the team and helping them avoid relegation."
Next up for Stuttgart is a visit from Borussia Monchengladbach next Saturday, with the last five meetings of these two sides having been won to zero by the home side.
Stuttgart are 8/13 to be relegated, with Nurnberg 1/20 and Schalke 50/1.
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VfB Stuttgart have axed head coach Markus Weinzierl following a 6-0 thrashing by Augsburg which left them still uncertain about their Bundesliga survival.
Weinzierl had taken charge of Die Roten in early October following the sacking of Tayfun Korkut, signing a contract which ran until the summer of 2020.
We didn't take this decision lightly, but VfB's success comes first and we have to act accordingly.
Thomas Hitzlsperger
However, he has been shown the door with Stuttgart currently down in 18th place in the standings, a position which would see them involved in a relegation play-off - while they are also far from certain of avoiding automatic relegation.
Weinzierl has been replaced by Under-19s coach Nico Willig, with head of sport Thomas Hitzlsperger saying that the club hierarchy felt they simply had to make a change.
He told the club's official website: "We stated several times that we wanted to bring the season to a successful conclusion with Markus Weinzierl and his coaching team.
"However, after the extremely disappointing match in Augsburg we chose to review the situation again and decided that a clear break is necessary in order to secure our Bundesliga survival.
"We didn't take this decision lightly, but VfB's success comes first and we have to act accordingly.
"We believe Nico is capable of quickly bringing fresh impetus to the team and helping them avoid relegation."
Next up for Stuttgart is a visit from Borussia Monchengladbach next Saturday, with the last five meetings of these two sides having been won to zero by the home side.
Stuttgart are 8/13 to be relegated, with Nurnberg 1/20 and Schalke 50/1.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com