Bielefeld sack Frontzeck
Arminia Bielefeld have sacked coach Michael Frontzeck with one game of the season to go after the Bundesliga strugglers were beaten 6-0 by Borussia Dortmund.
That result means not even a win on the final day of the season can save the East Westphalians from a relegation playoff at best.
However, they must beat Hannover to avoid automatic relegation, with Energie Cottbus and Karlsruhe both poised to take advantage of yet another defeat.
Bielefeld have yet to decide who will take over for the final game of the season, with Frontzeck's assistant Detlev Dammeier the most likely candidate.
He took temporary charge when Ernst Middendorp was dismissed last season and before Frontzeck was appointed.
A club statement read: "The management of DSC Arminia Bielefeld informs that they, with the agreement of the board of directors, have made the decision to part company with coach Michael Frontzeck with immediate effect.
"The club thanks Michael Frontzeck for the work he has done, in particular avoiding relegation last season, which will remain unforgettable.
"We wish him all the best for his future, both privately and occupationally."
Arminia have not won any of their last nine games and have won just twice since the turn of the year.
They have won only four games all season and no club in the history of the Bundesliga have managed to stay up with so few wins in a season.
Frontzeck hoping for Bielefeld survival
Former Arminia Bielefeld coach Michael Frontzeck paid tribute to the club and their fans after admitting he had come up short in terms of results.
Frontzeck was sacked yesterday following a 6-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday that left the East Westphalians needing a win at Hannover next weekend to secure a relegation play-off with the third-placed team of the second division.
They would have to overturn a five-goal deficit on Borussia Monchengladbach, who would have to lose their final match of the season, to move out of the Bundesliga bottom three altogether but, with only four wins all season, to be given a second chance to avoid relegation would be a welcome conclusion to the campaign.
And Frontzeck will be "keeping my fingers crossed" they avoid the drop.
"Of course I am sad," he said. "It is a shame that we cannot make it to the end together.
"Objectively, we have not picked up the points that our football has deserved and you get judged on points in this business.
"The team can still make it and I am keeping my fingers crossed for them."
Frontzeck also praised the club's fans, who he thanked for their patience all season.
He said: "They have supported us fantastically all of the time, despite winning so few home matches."
Frontzeck's assistant, Detlev Dammeier, has been placed in temporary charge of the club, who appear to be keen on appointing a new full-time coach before Saturday's final match of the season at Hannover.
