Hoffenheim coach Huub Stevens resigns for health reasons

SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) - Huub Stevens resigned on Wednesday as coach of relegation-threatened Hoffenheim for health reasons.

"I have cardiac arrhythmia (heart rhythm irregularities) and it could still be that I need an operation," the 62-year-old Stevens said. "I've always said that health must come first."

Stevens took over at the end of October after Markus Gisdol was fired, but couldn't improve the side's second-to-last position. Hoffenheim managed only one win in his 10 games in charge and is now five points off the relegation-playoff place and seven points from safety.

"I'm very sorry that I have to leave the club in this position, but I hope and think everyone will understand that my health takes priority," Stevens said.

Hoffenheim said Stevens' assistants Alfred Schreuder and Armin Reutershahn would take charge of Wednesday's training session.

"Of course this is another blow we have to deal with in our situation at the moment," Hoffenheim managing director Peter Goerlich said. "Huub was very close to us and in the current situation his step is more than understandable."

Stevens saved Stuttgart from relegation in his second stint at the club last season.

He previously coached Greek side PAOK, Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, and Bundesliga sides Hertha Berlin, Hamburger SV, Cologne and Schalke, where he was named "coach of the century" during his first stint in charge from 1996 to 2002.