Hamburg dismiss Labbadia

Bruno Labbadia has been sacked as coach of Hamburg just three days before the Bundesliga club’s most important fixture of the season.

Labbadia was informed of his fate at an emergency club meeting, which was called in response to yesterday’s crushing 5-1 defeat to Hoffenheim.

Labbadia leaves after less than 10 months in charge and just days before the club faces Fulham in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, a game upon which their whole season now depends.

The tie is goalless after the first leg in Germany.

Ricardo Moniz, part of the coaching staff under Labbadia, will take charge for Thursday’s return leg and for the remainder of the season.

“We have analysed the situation last night and this morning and decided together that we did not want to continue in this situation,” said Hamburg’s chairman Bernd Hoffmann.

“Ricardo Moniz will take charge of the team until the end of the season.

“He is incredibly enthusiastic, knows the team and English football well and lives for football.”