Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart sacked coach Markus Babbel yesterday, a day after a 1-1 draw with Bochum left them in 16th place. Swiss coach Christian Gross, formerly with FC Basel, was taking over immediately on a contract that would run until 2011, the club said.

Stuttgart, who have won only twice this season, have 12 points from 15 games.

"It was a moving year and we achieved amazing things," Babbel told reporters, minutes after the club announced his sacking in a statement.

"I wish the new coaching staff all the best and hope they will find the button to reignite the team. I did not find that button."

Despite their poor Bundesliga form, Stuttgart can still reach the Champions League knockout stage with a home win over Romania's Unirea Urziceni on Wednesday.

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