Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann was fired on Monday after eight months in charge of the defending German champions.

Klinsmann, who coached Germany to third place at the 2006 World Cup, was told by club officials that he was dismissed with immediate effect, Bayern said in a statement posted on its website.

"(Bayern) considered that the minimum targets for this season were in danger following recent results, and so decided to take this step," the statement said.

Bayern lost 1-0 at home to Schalke on Saturday, leaving the team in third place in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich's team coach Juergen Klinsmann smiles during a training session in Munich April 13, 2009.

Bayern said Jupp Heynckes will take over until the end of the season, with Hermann Gerland as his assistant.

Klinsmann, whose contract is due until June 30, 2010, also issued a statement saying that he was "very disappointed" at the decision.

"We have laid the foundations for the future. I still believe that the team can be German champions this season," said the 44-year-old.

With five rounds to go, Bayern has 16 wins, six draws and seven defeats in the Bundesliga. It is three points behind leader Wolfsburg, which has been thriving under Felix Magath, a former Bayern coach.

The 63-year-old Heynckes coached Bayern from 1987-91, winning the 1989 and 1990 Bundesliga titles. He has since worked at Schalke, Real Madrid and Borussia Moenchengladbach, and won the 1998 Champions League title with Real Madrid.

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