Bochum dismiss head coach Reis

It’s the worst start to a season in Bochum’s Bundesliga history following the 3-1 defeat to local rivals Schalke on Saturday, with the club deciding now is the time for a change in the dugout.

“It’s obvious that this decision wasn’t easy for us,” said managing director for sport Patrick Fabian. “Thomas has a connection to the club and the city that goes beyond the last three successful years. It’s also true that before the season there were efforts to continue the work together.

“But we urgently need to find solutions to improve the situation, which is very difficult from a sporting point of view, and at the same time to deal with the issues that have a negative influence on it.”

Watch: Bochum beaten 3-1 in Reis’s final game

After years working at the club as assistant, U19 coach and reserves boss, Reis was handed the reins at the Ruhrstadion in September 2019 with the team languishing at the bottom in Bundesliga 2 after another winless start from five games.

The former left-back guided them to safety in eighth place before leading the Ruhr club to the division title and promotion the following season after over a decade away from the top flight.

Bochum enjoyed a trouble-free return to the Bundesliga, finishing 13th and also claiming famous wins over Bayern Munich and at Borussia Dortmund.

Watch: Bochum claim famous win over Bayern

However, six straight defeats to start this campaign means the euphoria is over and the club has now had to face reality.

Reis departs having overseen 112 matches, winning 50 of those and losing 41. U19 coach Heiko Butscher has been placed in temporary charge ahead of the next match against Cologne while the club seeks a permanent replacement.