Bundesliga
Darmstadt to be without Torsten Lieberknecht due to family reasons
Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht will not prepare his side for their game against Mainz after his wife suffered a stroke.
It has been agreed with the club that Lieberknecht will be with his family instead after his wife fell ill.
Darmstadt president, Rüdiger Fritsch, said in a statement: "A stroke suffered by his wife Simone is currently requiring all of Torsten’s strength and attention. From us as a club he receives every possible support so that he can devote himself fully to his wife and family."
The same statement said it is currently unclear whether Lieberknecht will be back in the dugout for the Matchday 11 meeting with Mainz.
In his place, the team is being led by assistant coach Ovid Hajou with the support of fellow assistant Kai Peter Schmitz and goalkeeping coach Dimo Wache.
If Lieberknecht is missing on Saturday, Hajou will also take charge of the team, alongside the rest of the coaching setup.