Despite false start: FCM committees strengthen sporting director Schork

Despite the false start and the dismissal of coach Markus Fiedler, Otmar Schork is to remain sporting director of second-division soccer club 1. FC Magdeburg. "The committees express their confidence in Otmar Schork, expressly call for unity and firmly reject any reports to the contrary," said a joint statement from the presidium and supervisory board.

After narrowly missing out on promotion in the previous season, Magdeburg are bottom of the table ahead of the ninth matchday. After just one win from eight league games, Fiedler was relieved of his duties during the international break. For the time being, Petrik Sander and Pascal Ibold will be in charge of the team, which visits Darmstadt 98 on Sunday (1.30pm/Sky).