Test match debacle: Magdeburg parts ways with coach Fiedler

Just a few days after the vote of confidence, second-division soccer club 1. FC Magdeburg has parted company with coach Markus Fiedler. The 6-0 defeat in a test match against league rivals Eintracht Braunschweig had caused faith in the manager, who was only appointed in the summer, to collapse. On Tuesday, sporting director Otmar Schork had stood by Fiedler even after six consecutive defeats in the league.

"We have come to the conclusion that the team no longer has confidence in Markus and that there is no longer any hope of a turnaround," the sporting director announced in a press release. Discussions are currently underway "to find the right coach for FCM". In addition to Fiedler, assistant coaches Andreas Schumacher and Saban Uzun will also be relieved of their duties.

Petrik Sander and Pascal Ibold as interim coaches

On an interim basis, Petrik Sander and Pascal Ibold, coach of 1. FC Magdeburg's U23s, will take over the first team and prepare them for the away match in Darmstadt. Sander has already gained experience in the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga as coach of Energie Cottbus and TuS Koblenz. FCM, who fought for promotion to the first division with Christian Titz in the previous season, have the weakest defense in the league with 19 goals conceded and have recently gone four games in a row without conceding a goal.