Steve McClaren sacked by German side Wolfsburg

Former England manager Steve McClaren has been sacked by German side Wolfsburg after just eight months in charge.

McClaren, 49, took the reigns at the Bundesliga outfit last summer following a successful spell in charge of Dutch side FC Twente whom he guided to their first league title.

But the former Middlesbrough boss only managed to lead Wolsburg to five wins in 21 matches during his time in Germany – and Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Hannover continued a poor run of just one win in 11 in the Bundesliga.

A statement from Wolfsburg confirmed: “The club has parted ways with Steve McClaren. Pierre Litbarski will be taking over.”

McClaren, who started his managerial career at Middlesborough, leaves Wolfsburg with the club 12th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone.

McClaren has rebuilt his reputation in Europe following a disastrous reign as England head coach and he is already being linked with the manager’s job at West Brom.

Wolfsburg chief executive Dieter Hoeness said: “We were not convinced that we could have a stable collaboration with Steve McClaren until the end of the season. We tried it, but unfortunately we have now lost the belief.

“Being only one point clear of the relegation places, we are alarmed. Now it’s just a question of increasing the gap to the relegation places as soon as possible.”