Cologne sack coach Peter Stoeger

BERLIN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Cologne have parted company with head coach Peter Stoeger after a disappointing start into the season 2017-2018, the struggling Bundesliga side announced in an official statement on Sunday.

One day after the hard earned two-all draw at third placed Schalke, Cologne and Peter Stoeger have mutually agreed to terminate the running contract ahead of schedule.

"In recent days, we have felt that our journey is over, regardless of the outcome at Schalke. It was very important to Peter Stoeger to make a clear cut before too much negativity and emotions are involved," Cologne's CEO Alexander Wehrle said.

Despite the respectable stalemate at Schalke, the "Billy Goats" are trapped in the Bundesliga bottom with only three points from 14 league matches. To make things worse, they sit 11 points adrift from safety. Hence, Cologne is already stuck in the relegation battle with 20 Bundesliga rounds to spare.

"It is in the spirit of the club and, above all, the team that now a decision has been made. The players, employees of the club, the fans and the city of Cologne have grown to my heart. I keep my fingers crossed that Cologne keep their top-flight status," Stoeger said.

The 51-year-old Austrian head coach has written an unequalled history at Cologne. After taking the reins, together with his assistant Manfred Schmidt, at second division side Cologne in 2013, Stoeger led the "Billy Goats" back into the first division in 2014.

Under Stoeger, Cologne casted an anchor in Germany's top flight after finishing the seasons on a 12th, 9th and 5th place, which allowed his men to return into the UEFA Europa League after 25 years of absence. In July 2017, Stoeger went into the fifth straight season at Cologne's sidelines to set a new club record. He led the club into overall 168 competitive encounters.

Cologne presented an interims solution until the winter break as the club's Under-19 head coach Stefan Ruthenbeck will take the helm alongside with the assistants Kevin McKenna, Makus Daun and goalkeeping coach Alexander Bade.

The struggling Bundesliga club travel to Red Star Belgrade for their final UEFA Europa League game on Thursday before they host Freiburg in the league on Sunday. Enditem