German club Wolfsburg have sacked Steve McClaren after just nine months into the job,
McClaren was brought in last summer after winning the Dutch League with FC Twente. But the Englishman has struggled with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga so far with only 5 wins in 21 games.
He was due to be sacked last December but the board gave him time and money to spend during the winter transfer window to turn things over at Wolfsburg. However, the board ran out patience after Saturday's loss to Hannover, which prompted the sacking of McClaren.
“VfL (Wolfsburg) have parted ways with Steve McClaren. Pierre Littbarski is taking over,” a statement from the 2009 Bundesliga champions read.
Director of Sport Dietar Hoeness said that the club could no longer tolerate the bad results which leaves them languishing 1 point above the relegation zone. He felt that the club's dismal position in the league standings was the catalyst to the sacking.
“We were no longer sure that we could work with Steve McLaren until the end of the season with some stability,” Hoeness said.
“We have tried to make things work for as long as possible, but we have lost faith that we can bring success. Following the recent negative results we cannot underestimate our situation in the table.”
“Being only one point clear of the relegation places, we are alarmed. Now it’s just a question of increasing the gap to the relegation places as soon as possible.”
With McClaren's former assistant Pierre Littbarski taking over, Hoeness believes that he is the right man to push the club upwards.
“We have talked a long time with him (Littbarski) and he has convinced us that he will introduce those measures that are necessary in our situation,” he said.
He was due to be sacked last December but the board gave him time and money to spend during the winter transfer window to turn things over at Wolfsburg. However, the board ran out patience after Saturday's loss to Hannover, which prompted the sacking of McClaren.
“VfL (Wolfsburg) have parted ways with Steve McClaren. Pierre Littbarski is taking over,” a statement from the 2009 Bundesliga champions read.
Director of Sport Dietar Hoeness said that the club could no longer tolerate the bad results which leaves them languishing 1 point above the relegation zone. He felt that the club's dismal position in the league standings was the catalyst to the sacking.
“We were no longer sure that we could work with Steve McLaren until the end of the season with some stability,” Hoeness said.
“We have tried to make things work for as long as possible, but we have lost faith that we can bring success. Following the recent negative results we cannot underestimate our situation in the table.”
“Being only one point clear of the relegation places, we are alarmed. Now it’s just a question of increasing the gap to the relegation places as soon as possible.”
With McClaren's former assistant Pierre Littbarski taking over, Hoeness believes that he is the right man to push the club upwards.
“We have talked a long time with him (Littbarski) and he has convinced us that he will introduce those measures that are necessary in our situation,” he said.
