Berlin: Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart announced on Tuesday that they have parted company with coach Alexander Zorniger after their 4-0 mauling at home to Augsburg kept them in the bottom three.

“The manner of last Saturday’s defeat has kept us very busy,” said club president Bernd Wahler.

“In the aftermath, we analysed the team and the coaching staff and came to this conclusion.” The 48-year-old Zorniger has only been in charge since the start of the season after Stuttgart narrowly avoided relegation last season and Zorniger’s entire coaching staff have also been relieved of their duties. Under-23 coach Jurgen Kramny has been promoted as caretaker coach for Saturday’s away game at second-placed Borussia Dortmund.