Mainz sacks head coach Henriksen with Hoffmann stepping in as interim coach

BERLIN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Bundesliga club Mainz has parted ways with head coach Bo Henriksen following a prolonged stretch without a league victory, leaving the team at the bottom of the table and prompting urgent action.

The decision, confirmed after days of internal discussions on Wednesday, comes as Mainz struggles through eight consecutive league games without a win, marked by scarce scoring and frequent concessions, capped by a 4-0 defeat at the weekend that highlighted the squad's vulnerabilities.

With only six points from 12 matches and firmly anchored in 18th position, senior officials concluded that a reset was unavoidable if the season was to be stabilized. Benjamin Hoffmann, long-time coach of the club's under-23 side, will oversee training and match preparation on an interim basis.

Club executive Christian Heidel described the step as "painful but ultimately necessary," recalling how Henriksen had once invigorated a demoralized group and steered them from deep relegation trouble to an unexpected European qualification.

"His impact was profound, and the gratitude we feel is genuine," Heidel said, while acknowledging that recent performances no longer matched the club's competitive targets.

In a reflective farewell message, Henriksen said he had cherished his time at Mainz, praising the bond with supporters and the spirit of the dressing room. He admitted, however, that his side had struggled to rediscover the relentlessness and clarity that had defined their surge in previous seasons, despite "working relentlessly until the very last day."

Sporting director Niko Bungert noted that the club had reached "a decisive crossroads," adding that Hoffmann's familiarity with the academy structure and tactical principles made him a logical short-term solution. The interim coach is expected to bring stability and ease the mounting pressure as Mainz prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.

Hoffmann inherits a group low on confidence but not without potential, with club leaders hoping that a shift in tone and approach can reignite the competitive edge Mainz needs to climb out of the relegation zone in the weeks ahead. ■