PJH
May 28 2005, 04:24 PM
Erik Gerets has resigned as coach of Wolfsburg, despite having a further year to run on his contract.
The former Belgium international has quit as coach of the Bundesliga side, with his relationship with managing director Thomas Strunz believed to be a reason for his resignation.
Gerets and Strunz had a strained working partnership and there had been rumours the coach would be sacked.
He has now taken the decision out of the club's hands after bringing to an end his 14-month tenure as Wolfsburg boss.
"There are various reasons for my resignation," said Gerets. "I thank the fans in particular - they are superb."
Wolfsburg chairman Lothar Sander conceded the relationship between Gerets and Strunz had played a part in the coach's exit.
Sander told the club's official website: "We regret this decision but we were unable to reach the effective co-operation we wanted between Strunz and Gerets.
"However, we respect this decision and thank him for all his work."
Gerets had taken Wolfsburg to the top of Die Bundesliga during the early weeks of the season but their form dipped with the team eventually finishing ninth in the table.
Ex-Germany international Bernd Schuster, who was recently sacked by Levante, has been mooted as Gerets' replacement along with Aachen boss Dieter Hecking.
The former Belgium international has quit as coach of the Bundesliga side, with his relationship with managing director Thomas Strunz believed to be a reason for his resignation.
Gerets and Strunz had a strained working partnership and there had been rumours the coach would be sacked.
He has now taken the decision out of the club's hands after bringing to an end his 14-month tenure as Wolfsburg boss.
"There are various reasons for my resignation," said Gerets. "I thank the fans in particular - they are superb."
Wolfsburg chairman Lothar Sander conceded the relationship between Gerets and Strunz had played a part in the coach's exit.
Sander told the club's official website: "We regret this decision but we were unable to reach the effective co-operation we wanted between Strunz and Gerets.
"However, we respect this decision and thank him for all his work."
Gerets had taken Wolfsburg to the top of Die Bundesliga during the early weeks of the season but their form dipped with the team eventually finishing ninth in the table.
Ex-Germany international Bernd Schuster, who was recently sacked by Levante, has been mooted as Gerets' replacement along with Aachen boss Dieter Hecking.