Hamburg give Stevens time off

Hamburger SV have granted coach Huub Stevens leave to care for his sick wife after she was induced into a coma following emergency surgery last week.

'Private matters'
The 53-year-old Dutchman was appointed in early February and has steered Hamburg out of the relegation zone, but will put his managerial duties to one side to look after his wife, Toos. Sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer said the conditions of Stevens's leave were conditional, but "private matters take priority". He added: "We're constantly in contact but cannot say when Huub will be back. It is possible that [assistant coach] Markus Schupp will be in charge on Sunday [against VfL Wolfsburg]."