Struggling Nuremberg sack coach Gertjan Verbeek

Relegation threatened Nuremberg parted company with coach Gertjan Verbeek with three rounds to spare in the German Bundesliga campaign.

Verbeek and his assistant coach Raymond Libregts have been released with immediate effect, while youth coach Roger Prinzen and Marek Mintal have been named the caretakers for the remaining three matches of the season, reports Xinhua.

"Roger knows the team very well and he has already proven that he quickly can help the team in a difficult situation," Nuremberg' s sporting director Martin Bader said in an official statement Wednesday.

The Dutchman Verbeek joined the club in October 2013 but recorded only one victory out of the last nine games. Martin Bader is convinced "that this decision will give new energy."

Nuremberg currently occupy 17th place in the standings and are five points away from safety. Nevertheless, they have the chance to make it into the relegation playoffs as 16th placed Hamburg have just a one-point advantage.