Struggling Augsburg sack coach Maassen

Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg on Monday sacked head coach Enrico Maassen after a 2-1 defeat to promoted Darmstadt.

"After extensive discussions and evaluation of the sporting situation, FC Augsburg have decided to dismiss coach Enrico Maassen with immediate effect," the Bavarian club said in a statement.

Augsburg said "changes to the coaching position" were necessary after a German Cup exit to third division Unteraching, and just one win in seven Bundesliga games leaves the club one point above the relegation zone.

Augsburg's under-23 coach Tobias Strobl will step in on an interim basis, Augsburg said.

Maassen took over in the summer of 2022, after coaching the Borussia Dortmund reserve team.

The 39-year-old ensured that the club remained in the top flight with a 15th place finish last season.

The Bavarian club's highest placing in the Bundesliga was fifth at the end of the 2014/15 season.

Maassen becomes the first Bundesliga coach of the season to be sacked from his post.