ANKARA

German football club Schalke on Sunday fired their first team's management following Saturday's 5-1 defeat against Stuttgart.

In a statement, Schalke said the loss in the German Bundesliga forced the Gelsenkirchen club board to dismiss senior team manager Christian Gross and his assistant Rainer Widmayer, first team coordinator Sascha Riether and fitness coach Werner Leuthard.

Head of Sport and Communication Jochen Schneider was also removed.

Chairman Jens Buchta said the sackings came due to the Royal Blues' consecutive losses against Borussia Dortmund by 4-0, and Stuttgart 5-1.

"Following the two disappointing displays against Dortmund and Stuttgart, these decisions were unavoidable," he said.

In December, Swiss manager Gross was appointed as Schalke manager for a change. The 66-year-old came at the helm after David Wagner, Manuel Baum and caretaker manager Huub Stevens.

Wagner, Baum and Stevens respectively parted ways with Schalke in 2020.

Schalke have 9 points in 23 league matches, and are ranked 18th in the Bundesliga behind Mainz, who have 17 points and are on the 17th position.