1. FSV Mainz 05 have confirmed the departure of head coach Kasper Hjulmand and the appointment of his successor Martin Schmidt.
Director Christian Heidel made the decision public on Monday morning via a press release, in which he said: "I have already informed Kasper Hjulmand, in a private discussion, about our decision."
He continued, "Those who know how we work and the philosophy of the club will understand how hard this decision was. Kasper is a football expert, who, without doubt, can evolve and develop football teams.
"Lots of different factors have lead to a negative trend, with only one win from thirteen games and slipping into the relegation zone. We need to survive, with tactical discipline, passion, fighting spirit, aggressiveness and consistency that will show in training and in our games.
"Here, we focus on Martin Schmidt, the club, the team and the way we play; he has known that [the style of play] for almost five years and he has also helped to develop this," added Heidel.
The decision comes after a 4-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Friday night, which saw BVB draw level the Karneval club and they both lie just one point above the relegation zone.
Schmidt has been promoted from within. He had been in charge of Mainz's under-23 side since 2010 and should slot seamlessly into his new role.
The Swiss coach has already given his views on the decision, "For me, this is of course a big step, now standing as the person responsible for the Bundesliga team."
But I do not feel thrown into the deep end, because I was already training with the team and the coaches in the last few years closely; I know the procedures and I am therefore prepared."
It will be a baptism of fire for Schmidt, who has his first game in sole charge against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Rhein-Main derby.
Quotes via kicker.