German Cup winners Nuremberg have parted company with coach Hans Meyer after the relegation-threatened club took only one point from their first two matches after the winter break.

"Hans Meyer and his assistant coach Juergen Raab have been released effective immediately due to the current sporting situation," Nuremberg said on the club's official website.

Nuremberg are, however, still alive in the UEFA Cup and play at Benfica in the last 32.

German media reported that Meyer, 65, who led Nuremberg to the German Cup with a victory over Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart nine months ago, would be replaced by Thomas von Heesen, who quit at Arminia Bielefeld last year.

Nuremberg are in 16th place in the Bundesliga, languishing in the relegation zone with just 16 points from 19 matches.

They drew 1-1 at home on Saturday against Hansa Rostock after losing to Karlsruhe 2-0 the week before.

Meyer took over in November 2005 and lifted Nuremberg out of the relegation zone to eighth place. Last season, the team finished sixth.

Meyer is the third Bundesliga coach dismissed this season after Petrik Sander left Energie Cottbus and Ernst Middendorp departed from Arminia Bielefeld.

Reuters