Skip to content

Hoffenheim sack Hoeness after failure to reach Europe

Christian Kaspar-Bartke / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Berlin, May 17, 2022 (AFP) - Sebastian Hoeness was sacked by Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on Tuesday, paying the price for failing to secure a place in Europe for next season following a string of poor results.

Five days after his 40th birthday, Hoeness was shown the door as Hoffenheim finished ninth in Germany's top flight, falling six points short of a place in the European Conference League.

The writing was on the wall for the nephew of former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness when Hoffenheim rounded off their league campaign with a 5-1 thrashing by Borussia Monchengladbach last Saturday.

Hoffenheim were fourth -- in the Champions League places -- in mid March, but have dropped down the table since, losing their last three games and conceded 13 goals in the process.

"We have always clearly expressed our appreciation of Sebastian Hoeness in the past few months. That's why the decision wasn't easy for us," said Hoffenheim sports director Alexander Rosen.

"We have to admit that the results and events of the past two months have overshadowed many of the many positive aspects."

Hoeness, who joined Hoffenheim after coaching Bayern's reserves, is the fourth coach to part company with a Bundesliga club in as many days.

Both Adi Hutter and Markus Weinzierl announced Saturday they were leaving Borussia Monchengaldbach and Augsburg respectively.

Florian Kohfeldt was then sacked by Wolfsburg on Sunday, the day after his team fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Bayern.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox