Wolfsburg playmaker Diego appears to be on a collision course with coach Steve McClaren following yesterday's 1-0 derby defeat to Hannover.

Diego missed a penalty he was not meant to take in the loss at the Niedersachsen Stadion, leaving the Wolves just one point above the Bundesliga's bottom three and McClaren's job hanging by a thread.

"We threw this game away and that is why I am disappointed with this result," McClaren said. "Diego should not have taken the penalty and he has defied us. That is unacceptable."

Diego should not have taken the penalty and he has defied us. That is unacceptable.
Steve McClaren, Wolfsburg coach

New signing Patrick Helmes was the designated penalty taker, but his attempts to take the ball after Diego had been fouled inside the area were in vain as the Brazilian took charge before sending his shot against the crossbar.

"I don't know what is wrong," said Diego. "I have taken penalties before. "It used to be Edin Dzeko or Grafite, and then it was me so I don't see any problem."

McClaren may have a problem, however, as he appears to have lost the support of his managing director Dieter Hoeness. Hoeness said he would have to "sleep on it" before deciding what steps to take, but failed to deliver any guarantees for McClaren.

"I doubt I am going to sleep much as I think of how we can get out of this situation," Hoeness said. "I have a lot to ponder about the way we are playing and why we are sitting just above the relegation zone."