Bundesliga club Hanover on Friday dismissed coach Mirko Slomka. The club said it took the decision to part with the 46-year-old coach with immediate effect after an analysis of the first half of the league season.
.
The decision followed extensive talks between club president Martin Kind, sport director Dirk Dufner and the club board, a statement posted on the club's website said.
.
"It wasn't an easy decision but together we were convinced we wanted to change something," Dufner said.
.
The club said it was making efforts to find a new coach in the next few days.
.
Hanover have gone into the German season's winter break 13th in the table after losing all eight of their away games.
.
Former Schalke coach Slomka took over at Hanover in January 2010 when the side was in the relegation zone.
.
He helped keep the club in the top flight with a victory on the last day of the season. Hanover finished fourth the following season, the highest in club history, and again qualified for the Europa League in 2011-2012. Last season saw the side finish ninth.
.
Slomka had a contract until end of June, 2016. Both sides have agreed not to disclose details of the termination agreement, the club said.
.
"My personal thanks go to Mirko Slomka who rescued Hanover 96 from relegation to the second division and then twice led it into the Uefa Europa League," Kind said.
.
"These successes will always be closely tied to his name."
.
Hanover had reportedly approached former Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf as a possible replacement, but Schaaf had told the club he did not want to consider a new job during the current season.
.
According to Germany's Bild daily, 41-year-old Frank Kramer, coach of second division Greuther Fuerth, is now a target.
.
Slomka is the fourth Bundesliga coach to lose his job this season following Bruno Labbadia (VfB Stuttgart), Thorsten Fink (SV Hamburg) und Michael Wiesinger (Nuremberg).
Sacking of coaches right now is a NORMAL thing. Lol
Every club wants the best club now because they all want to be doing well in their different leagues. So, so many sackings are still ahead.
The best is what the owner wants for the club. The fans should nt see him as a bad person.
When the result are not coming in as expected the coach's job has to be on line. The Hanover's time was just up.