Frankfurt, 10 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Augsburg parted ways with head coach Enrico Maaßen on Monday following a disappointing start to the 2023-24 Bundesliga campaign.

The 39-year-old was relieved of his duties two days after a sobering 1-2 home defeat against promoted Darmstadt, which brought about the first coaching change in the 61st season of the Bundesliga.

"Following open conversations with Enrico Maaßen, we believe that we needed to change our head coach. Despite all their commitment and hard work, Enno and the team haven’t managed to buck the trend and be successful on the pitch," Augsburg sporting director Marinko Jurendic said in a club statement.

Maaßen was still under contract with Augsburg until 2025.

Augsburg U23 coach Tobias Strobl will take over on an interim basis, the statement added.

"I am naturally disappointed with this decision, because I am convinced that we would have been able to manage to turn things around together," Maaßen was quoted as saying in the club statement. "I am grateful to FCA and the club’s management team for giving me the opportunity to coach in the Bundesliga. I wish FCA all the best for the future."

Augsburg managed just five points after seven matches and currently stand one point above the relegation playoff spot. The Fuggerstädter were eliminated from the German Cup in the first round by Unterhaching, a side promoted to the third-tier Unterhaching.

Augsburg managing director Michael Ströll thanked Maaßen for his work, but said, "we have arrived at the decision that it is necessary for us to make a change to our head coach in order to overturn the negative trend we have witnessed in recent weeks," in the statement.

Photo: FC Augsburg