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Time running out for new Stuttgart boss Stevens

Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

BERLIN, March 10, 2014 - New coach Huub Stevens took charge of struggling VfB Stuttgart on Monday and insisted time is running out to prevent only their second relegation from the Bundesliga since 1975.

Stuttgart are 15th in the table and only out of the relegation places on goal difference with Stevens to take charge for his first game against mid-table Werder Bremen on Saturday.

The 60-year-old took over after predecessor Thomas Schneider was sacked on Sunday as their 2-2 draw against bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig came after eight straight defeats.

"This is the eleventh hour," said Stevens who was sacked by Greek side PAOK on March 2 and only has a contract until the end of the season.

"I have already had many conversations, also with Thomas.

"I am grateful that he wanted to meet up, he knows the team better than I do, so hats off to him for that.

"I am very sorry for him, but that's the nature of the business.

"I want to take advantage of every hour now to get to know the team."

Stevens becomes Stuttgart's third trainer this season after Schneider replaced Bruno Labbadia last August.

"I had guessed that it would come to this and it was all about a Plan B," revealed Stevens, who was approached by Stuttgart after being sacked from PAOK.

"I was hoping that Thomas could pull it off, but I had said 'if it comes to it, I am ready'".

Stuttgart is Stevens' fifth Bundesliga club, having won the 1997 UEFA Cup and the German Cup twice with Schalke 04 in two stints with the Royal Blues, who sacked him in December 2012.

He has also coached Hertha Berlin, Hamburg, whom he saved from relegation in 2007, and Cologne in the German league.

Stuttgart are up against fellow relegation candidates Hamburg, Nuremberg and Freiburg in the coming weeks with 10 matches left before the end of the season.

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