Long-serving Bremen FC coach Schaaf threatens to quit

BERLIN (AFP) –

Bremen’s head coach Thomas Schaaf (left) prior to kick off of the German first division Bundesliga football match in Hanover, central Germany, on September 15, 2012. The Werder Bremen coach has threatened to quit after 14 years in charge, in the wake of his side’s 3-0 defeat at home to VfL Wolfsburg which deepened their relegation worries.

Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf has threatened to quit after 14 years in charge in the wake of his side’s 3-0 defeat at home to VfL Wolfsburg which deepened their relegation worries.

Schaaf is the longest-serving coach in Bundesliga history, having taken charge in May 1999, but with one win in ten league games, Bremen are down to 14th in the table.

It leaves them just five points above the relegation places with four games remaining.

“If I am standing in the way here, then I will step aside,” fumed Schaaf.

“Today we had a situation out on the pitch and that is what I am most concerned about.”

Goals by Wolfsburg teenager Maximilian Arnold, Croatia international Ivica Olic and a penalty by Brazilian Diego left Bremen 3-0 down with an hour gone.

“If you don’t get any points then the situation will get even worse,” said Schaaf.

“We wasted a big chance to improve ours situation and also play a little more relaxed.

“But I am more worried about the performance of my team, not the other things.”

Bremen, who played in the Champions League as recently as 2010, trudged off to a chorus of whistles and boos from their fans.

“Our performance in the first half was embarrassing. You can only apologise,” said captain Clemens Fritz.

“We missed picking up some big points, just gave them away.

“We totally deserved to lose and have to face the criticism now.”

Bremen face Leverkusen, Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt and Nuremberg in the coming weeks, with only Hoffenheim below them in the league.

“We have to get a team on the pitch that knows what it’s all about,” said sporting director Thomas Eichin.