Struggling Bundesliga side Cottbus sack manager

COTTBUS, Germany (AFP) - Energie Cottbus, winless this season after six matches and lying bottom of the Bundesliga, have sacked their manager Petrik Sander.

The 46-year-old was given his marching orders after Saturday's latest defeat, a 2-1 loss at home to Vfl Wolfsburg.

Sander becomes the first top flight German manager to be let go this season.

Explaining the move Cotbus' general manager Steffen Heidrich told a press conference on Sunday: "The sporting situation is very negative."

Two names in the frame to succeed Sander are Klaus Augenthaler and Jurgen Kohler.

After Saturday's game Cottbus foot the table with two points garnered out of a maximum 18.

Sander's reign at the club founded by coal miners from the former east Germany back in the 1960s lasted almost three years. He led them to the second division title in 2006 before finishing 13th in the Bundesliga last season.