Bayer Leverkusen have sacked coach Heiko Herrlich and named former Borussia Dortmund and Ajax manager Peter Bosz as his replacement.

Leverkusen had won four of their last five matches in all competitions and beat Hertha Berlin 3-1 on Saturday but club bosses felt a change was needed with the team ninth in the Bundesliga.

Sporting managing director Rudi Voller said an “undeniable stagnation in the development of the team” under Herrlich contributed to the club’s decision.

“Heiko Herrlich gave our team an important boost last year after a very difficult season and he took us into Europe,” Voller said on his club’s website.

“We were convinced and determined to turn the corner with him as head coach. Unfortunately, there has been an undeniable stagnation in the development of the team.

“Even though we are within reach of the European positions at the end of the year we find ourselves in a situation after a less than satisfactory first half of the season that makes a change of coach essential from our point of view.”

Dutchman Bosz, who guided Ajax to the 2017 Europa League final where they lost to Manchester United, will take charge on January 4 after signing a contract through to June 30, 2020.

The 54-year-old was sacked as Dortmund coach last December after seven months in charge, on the back of a 12-game winless run.