Coach axed
December 6, 2009
Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart on Sunday confirmed the sacking of coach Markus Babbel after disappointing results triggered angry protests by fans.
The 37-year-old Babbel was fired less than 24 hours after Stuttgart drew 1-1 with Bochum, leaving the Swabians in 16th place in the 18-team division with only 12 points from 15 games.
After Saturday's draw, several thousand angry Stuttgart fans had gathered outside the club's Mercedes-Benz Arena to demand Babbel's resignation.
Riot police were called in to stop the fans attacking the clubhouse. Two officers were injured and three people were arrested.
Stuttgart's management decided to part with Babbel just days ahead of a crucial Champions League match. The club still has the chance to reach the knock-out stages of the lucrative Champions League if they beat Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni on Wednesday.
Stuttgart's deep fall
Babbel took over midway through last season, after former Stuttgart coach Armin Veh was fired. Babbel, an ex-national team defender, was off to a good start at Stuttgart and even clinched a Champions League spot but his luck ran out this season.
Stuttgart - like Hertha Berlin - took a terrific plunge this year after finishing third in the Bundesliga last season.
This year has seen a spate of sackings, including Hertha Berlin's Lucien Favre, Bochum's Marcel Koller and Hanover's Dieter Hecking.
"I wish the new coaching team all the best," said Babbel, adding "I hope they will find the button and push it so that the team can function again. I did not find it."
Switzerland's Christian Gross is to take on Babbel's job, the club confirmed on Sunday evening.
nk/dpa/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Matt Zuvela