Stuttgart head coach Hannes Wolf has been relieved of his duties following the Swabians’ 2-0 home defeat to Schalke on Matchday 20.

Wolf, 36, guided VfB to promotion as Bundesliga 2 champions in 2016/17, but the Bochum native has been unable to arrest a slump in form that has seen the club lose six of their last seven league encounters and slip to within just three points of the relegation play-off position.

"We had a very intense and emotional discussion with Hannes following yesterday’s match in which we thoroughly analysed our situation," said sporting director Michael Reschke. "This discussion brought us to the conclusion that the danger of us not being able to turn our fortunes around under the current management is too great. We need fresh incentives to get back on the right track."

"[Assistant coach] Miguel [Moreira] and I would like to thank the club for one and a half unbelievably intense and enjoyable years with VfB," added Wolf. "We received a lot of support from the fans, the staff and the players [during our time here]. To lead VfB back into the Bundesliga on 21 May 2017 was unforgettable."

Wolf was appointed as coach in September 2016 and oversaw 52 games, winning 25, drawing eight and losing 19.

Fifteenth-placed VfB travel to fellow strugglers Wolfsburg on Matchday 21 of the 2017/18 campaign.

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