Hamburg sack coach Doll

Hamburg SV have parted company with coach Thomas Doll after the Bundesliga side slipped to last place in the standings with Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Energie Cottbus, the club said.

"We regret having to make this decision," HSV chairman Bernd Hoffmann said in a statement.

"We were convinced that we could turn this around with Thomas Doll. But after the results of the last two matches and the impression we got, we had to react."

Hoffmann said they would appoint a new coach before their next match against Hertha Berlin tomorrow.

German media reported that Felix Magath, who was sacked by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, would replace Doll.

Magath, who played for Hamburg for 10 years and coached the club in the mid-1990s, confirmed the talks were taking place but would not make any further comment on their progress.

"The HSV is a matter that goes straight to my heart," he told the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper. "I wouldn't even consider talking to any other club in a situation like this."

Bild newspaper had earlier reported on its website that Hamburg informed Doll of their decision shortly before midnight on Wednesday after the Cottbus match.