Stuttgart boss Markus Babbel facing the axe

Former Liverpool star Markus Babbel is heading for the sack at Stuttgart.

Their 1-0 Cup defeat at second division Greuther Fuerth was their fifth on the trot. Stuttgart, one of the pre-season Bundesliga favourites, are 14th after a string of poor displays.

Babbel, in his first full season in charge and still studying for his coaching licence, said: “This is a very difficult situation and is not getting easier.”