Leverkusen sack Skibbe

Bayer Leverkusen have sacked manager Michael Skibbe following their disappointing season.

Boss shown the exit following European failure

Bayer Leverkusen have sacked manager Michael Skibbe following their disappointing season. Leverkusen finished seventh in the Bundesliga and failed to qualify for Europe and Skibbe has paid the price. The 2002 UEFA Champions League finalists had set their sights on a European place this season, but after failing to achieve their target the club have decided to look for a new boss. Managing director Wolfgang Holzhaeuser said on the club's official website: "Because of recent Bundesliga results and the failure to achieve the season's goal of reaching the Uefa Cup we have decided to part with Michael Skibbe with immediate effect. "It was a difficult decision that took many hours because Michael Skibbe has done good work in the course of his time here. "But at the end of the day there was a lot in favour of making a fresh start with a new coach next season." Skibbe took charge of Leverkusen in 2005 and he has also previously operated in the coaching staff of the German national team where he was assistant to former chief Rudi Voller.