Source: Daily_Mail
Wolfsburg sack ex-England boss Steve McClaren
Steve McClaren was sacked by telephone on Tuesday, barely 48 hours after a remarkable dressing room bust-up with his key midfielder Diego. [LNB]McClaren was still fuming over the Brazilian's role in a 1-0 loss to Hannover 96 when Wolfsburg sporting director Dieter Hoeness rang to tell him his troubled reign was over.[LNB]Incensed at an 80th-minute penalty miss by Diego, after insisting any spot-kicks should be taken by new signing Patrick Helmes, McClaren fined the 25-year-old ?86,000 before catching a flight to England on Sunday morning. [LNB]It was to be his last act as Wolfsburg coach, as his bosses convened in his absence and decided his eight-month tenure had to end.[LNB]Writing's on the wall: Steve McClaren has been sacked as manager of German outfit Wolfsburg[LNB]The former England coach still has to negotiate a settlement on the 16 months left on his ?2million-a-year deal. [LNB]But, while he might normally haveexpected a pay-off in the region of ?2.5m, it was being claimed inGermany last night that his contract contained a clause entitling himto a far smaller amount. [LNB]McClaren, 49, was last night beinglinked with the vacant job at West Bromwich, though Roy Hodgson isstill the favourite to take over. [LNB]Hoeness was hoping McClaren couldrevive Wolfsburg's fortunes, after allowing him to spend a chunk of the?27m received from Manchester City for Edin Dzeko, but was forced toconcede defeat.[LNB]'We could not simply close our eyesto the reality of our plight, not when we are so close to therelegation zone,' said Hoeness. [LNB]'We had to react to the situation, rather than let it drift on and get even worse.[LNB]'We were alarmed to find ourselvesonly one point away from the relegation places and we were no longerconvinced that, if we continued working together with Steve McClaren,we would be able to end the season in a stable manner.'[LNB] Missed opportunity: McClaren's final act in charge was to fine midfielder Diego after he missed a crucial penalty against Hannover, one that he should not have taken[LNB]McClaren's assistant PierreLittbarski has been placed in charge for the rest of the season, thoughformer Tottenham manager Martin Jol has already emerged as a leading[LNB]candidate, along with his fellow Dutchman Huub Stevens, to take over on a permanent basis. [LNB]After guiding FC Twente to theirfirst Dutch title, McClaren arrived at the Volkswagen-backed Bundesligaclub, who won the title in 2009, with high expectations.[LNB]Losing his first three league gameswas a sign of things to come, though, as he came perilously close tobeing dismissed before the winter break. [LNB]Justifying his decision to fine theinfluential Diego, McClaren said: 'It was agreed that Patrick Helmesshould take any penalties, and everyone was made aware of that before kick-off. Diego defied that instruction and will be dealt with.'[LNB] In the firing line: McClaren lasted just eight months at the Wolfsburg helm[LNB] If that was a sign of the dressingroom being lost, the same applied in the boardroom, where club chairmanand Volkswagen director Francisco Garcia Sanz declared: 'The teamcannot make the progress required under Steve McClaren. We all wantcontinuity, particularly in the position of coach, but we have reacheda stage where we have no alternative.'[LNB]McClaren, sacked as England coachand dubbed the 'Wally with the Brolly' after a 3-2 home defeat againstCroatia in November 2007 ended a failed campaign to qualify for Euro2008, must wonder how far his stock has fallen after such a calamitoustime as the first Englishman to manage in the Bundesliga.[LNB] Angry McClaren fines Diego after Wolfsburg midfielder's penalty blunderMcClaren fears worst as Wolfsburg line up Salzburg coach to replace himEURZONE: Keep up to date with all the latest action across Europe[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Steve McClaren, Edin Dzeko, Martin Jol, Roy Hodgson Places: United Kingdom
