FUERTH, Germany (AP) — Bundesliga bottom side Greuther Fuerth fired coach Mike Bueskens on Wednesday because the promoted team has won only twice this season.
Fuerth spokesman Immanuel Kaestlen told The Associated Press that Bueskens, a former Schalke midfielder, was informed of the club's decision in the afternoon. Assistant coach Mirko Reichel subsequently decided not to continue.
Former under-23 coach Ludwig Preis and club manager Rouven Schroeder will take over on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found, Kaestlen said. The 44-year-old Bueskens led Fuerth to its first-ever promotion to the top flight after winning the German second division last year — following several near misses.
"This has historic dimensions for us," Bueskens said at the time. "So many thought: They don't want it, they can't do it. And now we've shown everyone." But Fuerth has struggled in the Bundesliga where it was last with 12 points from 22 games.
"It was a very hard decision for us because we know what we have to thank Mike Bueskens for," Fuerth president Helmut Hack said. "We've still got a chance of (Bundesliga) survival. That's why we want to try giving the team new impetus."
Bueskens' dismissal came after a 1-0 defeat last weekend by Fortuna Duesseldorf, another promoted side. Fuerth next plays on Sunday, at home against third-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Bueskens is the fourth Bundesliga coach to be dismissed this season following Felix Magath at Wolfsburg, Markus Babbel at Hoffenheim and Huub Stevens at Schalke.
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