Stuttgart’s director of sport Fredi Bobic insists coach Bruno Labbadia is not in any danger of losing his job, despite a run of four straight defeats.
Sunday’s 3-0 loss at home to Borussia Monchengladbach all but mathematically ended the club’s slender hopes of qualifying for Europe via the Bundesliga next season.
Instead, the Swabians need to start looking over their shoulders as the gap to the relegation zone is now only four points wide.
Labbadia took over with the club in a considerably worse position over a year ago, though, which is why he continues to enjoy the club’s faith – for the time being.
“I am convinced with Bruno Labbadia,” Bobic is quoted as saying in the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper.
“There is no discussing the coach here because I say so.”
However, Bobic has warned that his patience could wear thin if something does not change.
“We are under pressure and have got to deliver results,” he added.
Stuttgart’s last win was in the DFB-Pokal just before Christmas when they defeated Hamburg 2-1 to set up a quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich in a week’s time.
That fixture could now be crucial to reviving Stuttgart’s hopes of playing in the Europa League next term.