Mainz part ways with coach Siewert as relegation threat grows

Relegation-threatened Mainz have parted ways with coach Jan Siewert after just three months and a run of 11 games without victory, the Bundesliga club said on Monday.

Siewert took over in November from Bo Svensson in November, first as caretaker and then on a full contract until 2026.

He won the first game against RB Leipzig but that remains the team's only season victory from 21 games as they face the drop for the first time since 2009.

Mainz took action after Sunday's 3-1 defeat at VfB Stuttgart, with the club in second last position, four points away from Cologne in the relegation play-off spot, and nine adrift of Union Berlin in safe 15th place.

"Our position in the battle against relegation has clearly worsened in the past few weeks. We unfortunately now see a change of coach as a necessary step in order to bring about a positive turnaround," sporting director Christian Heidel said.

Mainz said a new coach for the rest of the season is to be unveiled on Tuesday, with their next match on Saturday against Augsburg.

Mainz have produced top coaches in the past, led by now Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, currently in charge at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.