Arminia Bielefeld coach Ernst Middendorp has been sacked and will be replaced by amateur team coach Detlev Dammeier for this weekend’s Bundesliga match against Stuttgart.
“The facts don’t lie – we have only five points from the last 11 matches,” managing director Reinhard Saftig said. “I don’t even want to start counting up the goals we’ve conceded.
“There were matches there that I didn’t think it could get any worse, but it did,” he added.
Bielefeld were beaten by Borussia Dortmund 6-1 on Friday.
Bielefeld have won just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions. They are 15th in the league with 15 points, just one point above the relegation zone.
It was the third time the club has sacked Middendorp. The 49-year-old also coached them from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1994 to 1998.
He was hired for the third time on March 14 this year and and helped them avoid relegation last season.
“It’s an emotional thing for me,” said Middendorp. “I’ve been attached to the club for 20 years.
Bielefeld will look for a permanent replacement during the winter break after Saturday’s match.
