Bayern Munich sack Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann was on Monday sacked as coach of Bayern Munich following a series of poor results, the defending Bundesliga champions announced.

The 44-year-old only took charge in July 2008, but recent poor results have seen Bayern crash out of the Champions League after a 4-0 hammering at Barcelona while Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Schalke left them third in the German league.

Former Bayern trainer Jupp Heynckes will take over as head coach for the remaining five games with Hermann Gerland as his assistant.

Klinsmann, who along with assistant coaches Martin Vasquez and Nick Theslof, will leave with immediate effect, was told of the decision in a meeting with Bayern team manager Uli Hoeness and chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Monday.

“We did not come to this decision lightly,” Rummenigge said in a statement.

“But the results of the past weeks, the way in which they came about and above all, the situation we find ourselves in five games before the end of the season forced us to act out of a sense of responsibility to the club.

“In Jupp Heynckes and Hermann Gerland, we have two experienced coaches who will take over the running of the team until the end of the season.”

Klinsmann’s contract had been until June 30, 2010.