Sammer steps down at Stuttgart

Just missed out
As a result of a 3-1 home defeat by FC Bayern München on the final day, Stuttgart finished fifth and just missed out on a place in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League and will instead enter the forthcoming UEFA Cup. They reached the Round of 32 in the season just gone, before being eliminated 2-0 on aggregate by Parma FC.

'Difficult decision'
"It wasn't an easy decision for us to make," said president Erwin Staudt. "However, we talked to Matthias Sammer and all of us came to the conclusion that it was for the best. I am impressed with the way Matthias Sammer analysed the season with us in the last few days. We would like to thank him and we wish him all the best for the future."

Past success
The former German international Sammer, who still had two years left to run on the three-year contract he signed a year ago, won the title with the club as a player in 1991/92 and made 62 appearances for Stuttgart between 1990 and 1992. The former FC Internazionale Milano player also won the 1997 Champions League with BV Borussia Dortmund, before, as coach, leading the club to the 2002 UEFA Cup final