Struggling Wolfsburg part company with McClaren

VfL Wolfsburg have parted company with coach Steve McClaren after less than nine months at the helm for the former England manager.

McClaren makes way with Wolfsburg having won just once in their last 11 Bundesliga games and sitting 12th in the German Bundesliga – a solitary point above the relegation zone – following Saturday's 1-0 loss at Hannover 96. "We're not convinced any more that we can finish the season safely with Steve McClaren," said general manager Dieter Hoeness.

"We have tried to stay together until the very end, unfortunately we have lost our belief in a successful outcome. We cannot underestimate the danger we are in." Former assistant Pierre Littbarski will take over training while the hunt for a permanent replacement continues.

McClaren, 49, became Wolfsburg's first English coach when he joined from FC Twente – whom he had led to the Eredivisie title last term – in May. He had previously taken Middlesbrough FC to the 2006 UEFA Cup final before succeeding Sven-Göran Eriksson in the England hot seat after the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They failed to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008 under his charge.