Leverkusen turn to Augenthaler

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Klaus Augenthaler to replace Thomas Hörster, who was sacked for publicly stating that he had "no hope" in the club's ability to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.

Replaced Toppmöller
UEFA Champions League finalists in 2002, Leverkusen have endured a torrid term and are occupying the third and final relegation spot from Germany's top flight with just two matches remaining. Hörster replaced Klaus Toppmöller in February but was unable to arrest the club's slide towards the 2. Bundesliga.

'No hope'
Speaking after Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Hamburger SV, Hörster said: "I have no hope any more." The statement prompted Leverkusen's general manager, Reiner Calmund, to react, and he said after relieving Hörster of his duties: "We can't afford members of the club not to have faith. If the coach has doubts, we have to react."

Augenthaler in
The 45-year-old Augenthaler, who parted company with struggling 1. FC Nürnberg at the end of April, was unveiled this afternoon. "As a player I was someone who never gave up.," he said. "We have two games against opponents, which are quite do-able."

Weekend relegation
Augenthaler's former club are four points behind Leverkusen at present and will be relegated if they do not win at the weekend; as will Leverkusen if they lose at home to TSV 1860 München and Arminia secure maximum points at relegated FC Energie Cottbus. Ironically, Nürnberg will be Leverkusen's opponents on the final day of the season.