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Bayer 04 Leverkusen sack head coach Roger Schmidt

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have sacked their head coach Roger Schmidt on Sunday after the team suffered a 2-6 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. The decision was made by the Shareholders’ Committee, the Supervisory Board of the Club, on the recommendation of the Management Board and the Executive Committee.

“In view of the current sporting developments, we have come to the conclusion after a very detailed analysis and consultation that a separation – despite being painful – is unavoidable for the further development and strategic goals of Bayer 04″, explained Managing Director Michael Schade in an official statment on the club website.

“I personally regret this very much, because we have a great deal to thank Roger Schmidt for. During his leadership we reached the Champions League group stage three times, and he did an exemplary job implementing our youth player development philosophy – developing young players into national team players and thus creating lasting value.”

Bayer 04 Leverkusen Sporting Director Rudi Völler said: “I consider Roger Schmidt to be an absolute top coach, and I have always been fully committed to his leadership, but we had to act now if we did not want to lose sight of our goals.”

“The first thing we have to do is to get the momentum back under this new direction and finally bring consistency into our performances. Our team has great qualities, which have showed themselves much too seldom this season. After the release of Roger Schmidt, it is the responsibility and duty of the players – now more than ever – to have these special qualities run freely again.”

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has scheduled a special press conference later today to announce further details.