Skibbe sacked by Hertha

Skibbe inherited the post from Markus Babbel during the Bundesliga winter break, but has suffered five consecutive defeats since stepping into the dugout.

A 5-0 reversal against Stuttgart on Saturday saw his time with the club brought to an abrupt halt, with general manager Michael Preetz confirming that Hertha have taken decisive action to try and address their alarming slump.

"After five defeats in a row and the 5-0 thrashing in Stuttgart, we felt forced to take this step," he said.

Skibbe is the sixth coach to be replaced in the Bundesliga this season, coming only a few days after Babbel returned to action to replace Holger Stanislawski at Hoffenheim.

Stanislawski is now considered to be one of the main candidates to take over in Berlin, although an internal appointment will be made for the time being until a suitable long-term replacement can be found.

Solution

"We are first going to find an interim solution, but at the same time, we will be looking for a new coach," revealed Preetz, who admitted he had made a mistake by appointing Skibbe only seven-and-a-half weeks ago.

"I appointed Skibbe and I carry the responsibility for the coaching decision.

"We have not been able to play a successful second half of the season with him and it is my responsibility towards Hertha Berlin to put right this error in judgment."

Preetz's decision to part with Babbel was questioned by large sections of the Hertha support, but he insists he will not be following Skibbe out of the door.

"There are not many people who admit to their errors, but I have," he said.

"I am a fighter, and I was as a player too. I do not just walk away."