Thursday 9 June 2016 10:55, UK
Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Sascha Lewandowski has died at the age of 44.
Lewandowski died on Wednesday, his former club Union Berlin said in a statement, with no cause of death given.
Lewandowski coached Leverkusen alongside former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia in the 2012/13 season and also served as interim boss at the club from April to July 2014.
He was most recently coach of second-tier side Union, leaving that post in March this year after only six months in charge due to burnout.
Union president Dirk Zingler said on the club's official website: "We are deeply upset and unbelievably sad. Our deepest sympathies and our sincerest condolences go out to Sascha Lewandowski's family and relatives."
Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller paid tribute to Lewandowski, saying: "We can scarcely believe that Sascha is dead. He was a great man who brought all his strength and passion to his work."
He had previously coached Bayer Leverksuen's U19 squad for five years between 2007 and 2012 after starting his coaching career with VfL Bochum.
