Steve McClaren sacked by Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg have announced the immediate departure of their English coach Steve McClaren, with the club battling against relegation from the Bundesliga.

The club announced that assistant coach Pierre Littbarski is to take control of team affairs.

Wolfsburg, the 2009 champions, are currently 12th in the German league with 23 points, one point above the relegation zone. The club lost 1-0 at Hannover at the weekend, and have won just once in their last 11 league games.

Former England coach McClaren was lured from FC Twente last year after he won the Dutch championship.

McClaren had two successful years in Enschede after a dismal record as manager of England during their failed effort to qualify for Euro 2008.