Arminia end Middendorp's third spell

DSC Arminia Bielefeld have parted company with coach Ernst Middendorp with reserve boss Detlev Dammeier set to take charge for the final game of 2007.

Serious disappointment
The 48-year-old's third spell as Arminia coach came to a close after a board meeting this afternoon, with his side 15th in the 18-team Bundesliga after a 6-1 defeat at neighbours BV Borussia Dortmund which prompted the coach to say that the way his team played was simply not good enough for top-flight football. Sporting director Reinhard Saftig added: "There were games when we thought it could not get any worse but it still did."

Never say never
Middendorp coached the club between 1988 and 1990 and again between 1994 and 1998 before heading to South Africa to coach Kaizer Chiefs. He returned to Bielefeld last March, helping the club to avoid relegation with four straight wins. "I might be coach a fourth time," he said after his dismissal. "I would not rule that out." Dammeier will be in charge for the final Bundesliga game of 2007 against VfB Stuttgart.