Stuttgart have sacked their head coach Jens Keller and appointed former Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia as his replacement, the Bundesliga club have announced.

Keller only took over from Christian Gross less than two months ago and started with a win in the UEFA Europa League against Getafe.

The team claimed seven points from Keller's first four Bundesliga matches in charge but their last victory came on 7 November, one of just three league wins all season.

Friday's 2-1 defeat by Hannover spelled the end for Keller with Cologne's victory yesterday leaving Stuttgart second bottom of the table, two points ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach who play later today.

Our club is going through one of the most serious periods in our recent history and we needed a fresh start.
Erwin Staudt, Stuttgart preseident



A statement on the club's official website, www.vfb-stuttgart.de read: "VfB Stuttgart have relieved Jens Keller of his duties as head coach.

"His successor is Bruno Labbadia. The new head coach will be presented officially later today at a press conference. The 44-year-old from Darmstadt has previously coached, amongst others, SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Hamburger SV."

Labbadia, a 44-year-old former German international, now takes over at Stuttgart, having been out of work since his sacking from Hamburg in April. "I am aware of how hard the task will be, but I'm confident we'll achieve our goal," said Labbadia at a press conference.

"Our club is going through one of the most serious periods in our recent history and we needed a fresh start," explained club president Erwin Staudt, who has been sharply criticised by fans.

Stuttgart have won five German league titles and have only spent two seasons away from the Bundesliga during the 1970s.