Wed May 21 14:42:09 2008

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Skibbe fired by Bayer Leverkusen

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Leverkusen, Germany (Sports Network) - Bayer Leverkusen fired coach Michael Skibbe following their failure to secure European football for next season.

Leverkusen's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Werder Bremen on Saturday saw them finish the season in seventh place in the Bundesliga table and outside of the UEFA Cup qualifying places.

The former assistant-manager of the German national team had been in the hot- seat at the BayArena for almost three years.

"Due to the last Bundesliga results and the fact that we have not met our season's targets, we have decided on an immediate parting of the ways with Michael Skibbe," chairman Wolfgang Holzhauser said.

"We had long and numerous discussions because Michael Skibbe has performed well during his time in charge.

"But at the end of the day everything pointed towards a brand new start for the club next season under a new trainer."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)