Wolfsburg sack coach Dieter Hecking after poor start to Bundesliga season

The decision brings an end to Hecking’s four-year reign at the club. Wolfsburg’s U23 coach Valerien Ismael has been put in temporary charge.

Hecking took over in 2012 and his most successful season was 2014-15 when he won the German Cup and guided Wolfsburg to second place in the Bungesliga. They finished eighth last season.

The fans had high hopes for the season, particularly after some high-profile signings including Germany international striker Mario Gomez, but after victory in the first game of the campaign they are yet to win since, losing three of their last four.

They are currently 14th in the table after losing 1-0 to Leipzig on Sunday.

The club’s sporting director Klaus Allofs said: “After the last few disappointing results we took the decision to give the team new impulses through a change of coaching staff.

“On a personal level I feel sorry for this decision. In these intense almost four years we worked very successfully together.”

Hecking said: “Obviously I am disappointed but that is part of this business, to expect such separations when there is no success. Unfortunately that was the case recently.”