Schalke show Heynckes the door

'We expected more'
The coach has been dispensed with just four games into the new Bundesliga season despite having won a UEFA Cup place for the club via this summer's UEFA Intertoto Cup. "We expected more from the coach," said general manager Rudi Assauer.

Temporary charge
Assistant coaches Eddy Achterberg and Oliver Reck will be in charge until a successor for Heynckes is found. Assauer added: "We are under no pressure and will take our time in order to make the right decision for the future."

Press conference
Heynckes' dismissal was all the more surprising considering that he had attended yesterday's press conference for the first-leg tie at home to Metalurgs. Schalke have made a poor start in the Bundesliga, however, winning one game and losing three - a situation the club could clearly not tolerate.

Summer signings
The 59-year-old Heynckes had brought in fresh blood during the summer, signing Marcelo Bordon, Ailton, Mladen Krstajic and Lincoln. However, the former Germany and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach striker has now left the club after just under 15 months in charge.

Coaching career
Heynckes joined Schalke after an eight-year spell in Spain and Portugal, where he worked at SL Benfica, Real Madrid CF, CD Tenerife and Athletic Club Bilbao. A UEFA Champions League winner with Madrid in 1998, he began his coaching career in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, before moving on to FC Bayern München and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.