BERLIN: Former England manager Steve McClaren was sacked yesterday by Bundesliga side Wolfsburg after just seven months in charge with his side just one point away from the relegation zone.
The 49-year-old became the first English manager to coach in the Bundesliga last August, but McClaren has been dismissed in the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Hanover, when he criticised star player Diego for missing a penalty.
McClaren’s co-trainer Pierre Littbarski will take over as caretaker coach.
“We were no longer sure that we could work with Steve McClaren until the end of the season with some stability,” said director of sport Dieter Hoeness in a statement.
“We have tried to make things work for as long as possible, but we have lost faith that we can bring success.”
Having coached FC Twente to last season’s Dutch title, McClaren took charge of the 2009 Bundesliga champions before the start of the season.
But his team have struggled all season.
Star striker Edin Dzeko was sold to Manchester City in January and the final straw came in Saturday’s defeat.
McClaren slammed Diego for disregarding the English coach’s order to let Germany striker Patrick Helmes take an 80th-minute penalty on Saturday, which the Brazilian then missed.
“The players argued about it like kids in a playground,” said Hoeness.
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