German Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart have ended the tenure of ex-Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers defender Markus Babbel as manager.

Following their 1-1 draw with VfL Bochum on Saturday which saw them slip to 16th on the table, the club sacked the 37-year old who wished the club well going forward.

"It was a moving year and we achieved amazing things," Babbel told reporters after the club announced his sacking in a statement.

"I wish the new coaching staff all the best and hope they will find the button to reignite the team. I did not find that button."

Stuttgart immediately appointed former FC Basel boss Christian Gross as the new manager who was hoping to save the club's season.

"I am here to save what is left to save," Gross said in a press conference.

"I want to take the team back on to the path of success," he added, before leaving for an evening training session with his players."