Sochaux have fired coach Mehmed Bazdarevic after a poor run of results that left the club languishing in last place in the French league.

Sochaux have not won a game since beating Lyon 2-1 at home in early November and have lost nine of their last 13 league games.

They are now five points away from safety with 12 matches remaining.

The club said in a statement on Tuesday that reserve team coach Eric Hely will replace Bazdarevic in a caretaker role.

Bazdarevic, who is now 51, was popular with Sochaux fans during his playing days as a winger at the club from 1988-94.

Sochaux never recovered from losing coach Francis Gillot, who guided the club into fifth place last season before joining Bordeaux.