Grasshoppers fires coach Murat Yakın

ZURICH – The Associated Press

Grasshoppers has said it fired coach Murat Yakın as the 27-time Swiss champion fights against relegation.

The former Basel and Spartak Moscow coach will leave the club along with Hakan Yakın, his brother and a former Switzerland teammate.

Grasshoppers said in a statement April 10 it regrets firing Yakın, who was appointed only seven months ago.

The Zurich club has won two of nine games since the midseason break. While still sixth in the 10-team Swiss league, it is only four points clear of last place.

Grasshoppers, which won its most recent league title 15 seasons ago, says sporting director Mattias Walther will lead an interim team of coaches.

A possible candidate to replace Yakın is the former FCZ coach Urs Meier, daily Der Bund reported.

The 56-year-old is currently under contract with the Challenge League club Rapperswil-Jona, but has an opt-out clause for the Super League, said the report.