Thom replaces sacked Stevens

Caretaker in charge
The 50-year-old Dutchman, who took over at the Olympiastadion 17 months ago following a successful spell with FC Schalke 04, has been replaced by reserve-team coach Andreas Thom. The former Hertha player will be in temporary charge until the winter break later this month.

'A serious position'
Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness explained the decision, saying: "You cannot deny that we are in a serious position. We have missed out on all our goals this season." Hertha were tipped to challenge champions FC Bayern München in the league and push for a UEFA Champions League place, but a 3-0 loss to Bremen on the opening day of the season was a sign of things to come.

European exit
Elimination from the UEFA Cup by Polish side Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski, coupled with a dismal league run, meant that last month Stevens was issued with an ultimatum to win his next two games or face the consequences.

Stay of execution
Hertha subsequently beat VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach in the league and cup but three successive defeats left general manager Dieter Hoeness "seriously worried about the club". Speaking after last night's reverse, Hoeness had said: "I need to sleep on things before sitting down and discussing things with the trainer."

Relegation form
Hertha have taken just eleven points from 14 Bundesliga matches and are only being kept off the bottom of the Bundesliga by 1. FC Köln. The only time they have endured a worse start to a season was in 1990/91 when they were relegated.

Promising beginnings
Stevens had arrived in Berlin with a glowing reputation, having guided Schalke to the UEFA Cup in 1997 and second place in the Bundesliga four years later. Hertha showed promise during the coach's first year in the capital, particularly in the second half of last season when a late push took them to fifth place and UEFA Cup qualification.