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Skibbe Out At Leverkusen

The writing was on the wall for Bayer Leverkusen trainer Michael Skibbe following Saturday’s loss to Werder Bremen that cost them a place in Europe next season. The Bayer board have reacted today by firing him.

The 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Werder Bremen last weekend was the straw that broke the camels back for Skibbe as it saw Hamburg and Wolfsburg secure to two Uefa Cup spots and condemn Leverkusen to seventh place in the Bundesliga.

The Werkself board met on Wednesday and took the decision to jettison Skibbe and seek somebody new to lead the side next season. He joins Dortmund’s Thomas Doll as the latest trainer casualty in the Bundesliga.

“Due to the last Bundesliga results and the fact that we have not met our season’s targets we have decided on an immediate parting of the ways with Michael Skibbe” said Chairman Wolfgang Holzhäuser.

“We had long and numerous discussions because Michael Skibbe has performed well during his time in charge. But at the end of the day everything pointed towards a brand new start for the club next season under a new trainer” he added.

Leverkusen took just seven points from their last ten Bundesliga matches and ended up in seventh place, which was a disaster considering their high ambitions.

Despite attempting to convince the board that he had the ability and solutions to turn things around next year, 42 year old Skibbe saw his tenure at the club ended with a year left to run on his current contract.

Sporting director Rudi Völler has long been a firm supporter of Skibbe, and was had only words of praise for Skibbe. “As everyone can imagine, this was a very difficult decision to make.”

Skibbe took control of the Werkself in October 2005 after the sacking of Klaus Augenthaler. Before that he was trainer at Borussia Dortmund and served as assistant to Rudi Völler.

“I have enjoyed my time here as Bayer trainer” Skibbe said after learning of the decision.

“I regret that we were unable to fulfil the expectations in the past few weeks. Despite that I’m delighted with development of the team, especially players like Rene Adler, Gonzalo Castro, Simon Rolfes and Tranquillo Barnetta.

“I wish Bayer Leverkusen and particularly my successor all the best for the future and lots of success.”

Goal.com - Bayer Leverkusen - Skibbe Out At Leverkusen