Mainz fire coach following German Cup exit

By published

BERLIN - Newly-promoted Bundesliga club Mainz 05 fired Norwegian coach Joern Andersen on Monday, less than a week before the season starts and three days after their German Cup first round exit against fourth-division VfB Luebeck.

"Our approach and that of Joern Andersen did not agree anymore as the coach was developing in a different direction," club manager Christian Heidel told reporters.

The club also sacked assistant coach Juergen Kramny and appointed under-19 coach Thomas Tuchel as Andersen's replacement.

Andersen joined Mainz in 2008, steering them to promotion in his first season in charge.

"I regret the decision of the club but our visions were different," Andersen told reporters.

Mainz lost 2-1 to lowly Luebeck and were eliminated in the first round of the Cup.