Berlin: Struggling German Bundesliga side Cologne sacked Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken following the club's 0-4 hammering in Mainz.

The club appointed former coach Frank Schaefer for the final four matches to avoid relegation following the removal Thursday of 44-year-old coach Solbakken, who joined the club in 2011.

"Frank Schaefer already showed in the last season that he is able to motivate the team to high performance. Moreover he is instructed to mobilize all resources to earn the necessary points to stay in first division," Cologne director Claus Horstmann was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Relegation threatened Cologne have the worst defensive record in the Bundesliga with 63 goals conceded in 30 matches and occupy 16th position which is a relegation playoff spot.

Cologne will play fourth placed Borussia Monchengladbach at the Rhenish derby at Borussia Park Sunday. (IANS)