Hoffenheim have confirmed the sacking of manager Markus Babbel after less than a year in the job.
The 40-year old former Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Blackburn rovers centre-half took the reins at the German club in February but has already met his demise after leading the club to 16th position on the Bundesliga table with just 12 points from 15 matches.
"Our increasingly threatening situation and the negative trend have left me no choice," said Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Muller.
"It is important to make a cut. We have to hit the reset switch and start a new beginning."
The club's U23 manager Frank Kramer will step into the hot seat for the next two matches as a replacement for Babbel is sought.
