The Bundesliga club has sacked coach Alexander Zorniger with immediate effect following an underwhelming show by the team this season in the Bundesliga.

U-23 coach Jürgen Kramny has been named the interim coach as the club, currently sat 16th in the table, prepares to take on Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.

The 48-year-old Zorniger, who took over from Huub Stevens at the start of the season, was expected to improve the club that had narrowly avoided being relegated to the second division last season.

Zorniger failed to make a positive impact, with the club managing only three wins in 13 league games this season. The embarrassing 0-4 loss against Augsburg on Saturday sealed his fate.

"The manner of the defeat on the previous Saturday has really impacted us,” said Stuttgart president Bernd Wahler. "We have analyzed and evaluated the implication for the team and coaching staff this morning and came to the decision."

Stuttgart's defense has been the weakest in the Bundesliga this season, conceding a staggering 31 goals.

Coaches at Stuttgart have had a rough ride in the past. The club has had ten different coaches marshalling its players in the past decade.

ap/dv (dpa)