体坛英语新闻：Wolfsburg coach Schmidt steps down

BERLIN, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Head coach Martin Schmidt departed from his job at Wolfsburg with immediate effect, the Bundesliga club confirmed in an official statement on Monday.

After three straight defeats, Wolfsburg coach Schmidt announced his resignation and informed the club bosses.

With his surprising withdrawal, Schmidt wants to give Wolfsburg the chance to improve the sporting situation with a "new impetus through a change on the coaching position". Besides, he wants to take away the "increasing public pressure", against his person, from the club.

However, the club bosses disagree on Schmidt's reasons for his resignation but they eventually "agreed to his decision after intense and controversial discussions.

Schmidt took the reins at Wolfsburg after the dismissal of former coach Andries Jonker in September 2017. Under Schmidt, the "Wolves" grabbed three wins, five defeats and 11 draws.

"Martin Schmidt wants to clear the way for his new head coach. We would have liked to secure our top-flight status with him but we could not dissuade him from his decision," Wolfsburg's sporting director Olaf Rebbe said.

"We respect his decision although I have to admit that his step disappoints me, also because he was our favorite coach," Rebbe added.

Wolfsburg, who sit on the 14th position with a one-point gap to the drop zone, clash with relegation threatened 15th placed Mainz at the opener of the 24th round in Bundesliga on Friday.