Werder Bremen head coach Markus Anfang has stepped down following accusations that the German forged his COVID-19 vaccination document.
The 47-year-old had previously denied doing so when asked by his club, but on Friday afternoon it was announced that both he, and his assistant Florian Junge had left their positions at the second-tier club.
Anfang had only been appointed by the 2004 Bundesliga winners back in June, following their relegation from the top flight of German football.
However, with Werder currently sitting 8th in the 2.Bundesliga table, the club are now at the centre of a national scandal, with Anfang accused of forging documents.
Advert
On Friday, the coach insisted that he received both jabs at a vaccination centre in Germany, after being questioned on the matter by the Bremen hierarchy.
"Because of the extreme stress caused to the club, the team, my family and myself, I have decided to immediately step down from my role as head coach of Werder Bremen," Anfang claimed in a statement.
"I requested that the club management dissolve my contract, a request they have granted. I wish Werder all the success in the world both for today's game against Schalke and for the future."
Advert
Club officials are now seemingly attempting to put the saga behind them, with the search for a new head coach beginning in earnest.
"With this step, Markus and Florian have taken responsibility and aim to end the unrest that has surrounded the club in the last days," Werder sporting director Frank Baumann said.
"We respect their decision and will now begin the search for a new head coach."
The allegations surrounding Anfang's vaccination status comes just weeks after Joshua Kimmich publically refused to get the jab after the Bayern Munich star questioned its long-term side effects.
Advert
The debate over vaccine mandates is set to rumble on in German football, with this particular incident likely to be the first flashpoint of many to follow.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Joshua Kimmich, Germany, Werder Bremen, Bundesliga