Wolfsburg sack sporting director Allofs

Wolfsburg and its sporting director Klaus Allofs have agreed to part ways with immediate effect, the struggling Bundesliga club announced in an official statement on Monday.

After a situation analysis by the supervisory board and talks between the two parties, Wolfsburg decided to bring its cooperation with the sporting director to an end.

"After a thorough analysis over the last few weeks, we have decided to make a new start in this current difficult situation," chairman of the supervisory board Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz said.

"This step was carefully considered and not an easy decision due to Klaus's efforts for the club and our good personal relationship," he added.

Allofs joined Wolfsburg in November 2012 when the "Wolves" were sitting on a relegation play-off spot. After securing their top-flight status, the Bundesliga club qualified for the UEFA Europa League. The greatest highlight of his term was the side's triumph in the German Cup and its Champions League performance, which allowed it to reach the quarterfinals.

However, things have changed in Wolfsburg as the side's poor performance in recent months dropped them into the relegation zone of the Bundesliga standings. After losing 5-0 to Bayern Munich on Saturday, Wolfsburg extended their winless streak to four games. They reaped only two wins and four draws, but suffered eight defeats in 14 games.

"It is a sad day for me personally," Allofs said. "After intensive talks we have come to this decision for the benefit of Wolfsburg. It was a great honour for me to work with Wolfsburg."

Allofs is a well-known sporting director in the German Bundesliga. The 60-year-old former German international controlled Werder Bremen's fate from 1999 until November 2012 before he joined league rivals Wolfsburg.

Wolfsburg occupy the 15th place in the standings. They will clash with 5th-placed Eintracht Frankfurt in the 15th round of Bundesliga action on Saturday. Endit