Kovac sacked as Wolfsburg coach after winless run

Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac has been sacked following the side's plummeting form, the Bundesliga club said on Sunday, reported dpa.

The Wolves lost 3-1 at home to Augsburg on Saturday, their 11th league game without a win and third defeat in a row. They were unlucky to have Kevin Wimmer harshly sent off after he had given them the lead but then completely fell apart.

The Volkswagen-backed club, champions in 2009, have slipped to 14th spot with eight games remaining and are only six points above the relegation play-off spot.

Wolfsburg also went out in the last 16 of the German Cup.

"After the defeat against Augsburg, we came to the decision to end our collaboration after an internal review of the match and our overall situation," managing director Marcel Schäfer said in a statement.

"We regret the development and believe it is now necessary to give the team new impetus in order to stabilize the situation."

Kovac's brother Robert, his long-time assistant, has also moved on.

Former Croatia, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich and Monaco coach Kovac was appointed at Wolfsburg in 2022. They missed out on a Europa League spot last season and though this campaign started well, the Wolves have since gone 20 league games with just two wins.

"Of course, as head coach, I am particularly disappointed that we have not managed to turn things around despite promising beginnings," the 52-year-old German-born Croatian said.

"We wish the team, the entire club and its fans the very best for the rest of the season and for the future."

Former Mainz coach Bo Svensson, ex-Southampton and RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhüttl and Matthias Jaissle of Al-Ahli are among the favourites in the media to take over now or in July. An international break now gives Wolfsburg time to assess their options.