Berlin (AFP) – Jos Luhukay has been named as the new coach of VfB Stuttgart after their relegation to the German second tier, while Robin Dutt became the third senior figure to leave the club on Tuesday.
Director of sport Dutt became the latest victim of Stuttgart’s first relegation for more than 40 years when he was dismissed after ex-coach Jurgen Kramny was sacked on Sunday, the same day president Bernd Wahler resigned.
Stuttgart were relegated after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Wolfsburg confirmed their demotion to the second division with Hanover 96, after failing to win any of their last nine games.
Dutchman Luhukay, who has also coached Bundesliga sides Borussia Moenchengladbach, Augsburg and Hertha Berlin, has now been named as Kramny’s successor.
“Jos Luhukay is a very experienced coach, who from his previous work with other clubs, has already demonstrated impressive qualities,” said the club in a statement.
“We are convinced he is the right man for the job, regardless of any other personnel changes there will be.”
The successor for Dutt, who joined Stuttgart in January 2015, is likely to be named next week.
“After some intensive discussions, we have decided the split from Robin Dutt was necessary to make the necessary fresh start for VfB,” said Martin Schaefer, a member of Stuttgart’s board.
Kramny had even less time in his job than Dutt, as the 44-year-old only became head coach last November to replace the sacked Alexander Zorniger, but his contract was just valid for Germany’s top flight.
Stuttgart were relegated alongside Hanover, with Eintracht Frankfurt finishing third from bottom to go into the relegation play-off.
Frankfurt play the first of two legs against Nuremberg, who came third in the second tier, on Thursday with the return match next Monday.
