Hamburg call time on Doll

Action taken
The 40-year-old had been given a vote of confidence in December but with the club now four points from safety, Hamburg's board decided they had to take action. Chairman Bernd Hoffmann said: "We regret this decision, but after the results and performances of the last few games we simply had to act." He added that Hamburg hoped to have a replacement in position before the trip to high-fliers Hertha BSC Berlin on Saturday.

All change
Doll becomes the third Bundesliga coach out of work in barely 24 hours after VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach split with Jupp Heynckes and FC Bayern München replaced Felix Magath with Ottmar Hitzfeld. He said: "Of course, I am very sad. I had two and a half wonderful years here at HSV. I hope the team will get their act together." His assistants Ralf Zumdick and Ronny Teuber will also leave.

Early success
A former Hamburg midfielder, Doll stepped up from the club's youth system following Klaus Toppmöller's departure in October 2004. He lifted Hamburg from relegation trouble and went on to lead them to a UEFA Intertoto Cup triumph in 2005 and a 2005/06 UEFA Cup berth. In the latter campaign Doll guided Hamburg to a third-placed finish in the Bundesliga, opening the door to the UEFA Champions League. However, Hamburg finished bottom of their section in the group stage with just one victory, which came when their elimination was already confirmed.