Stuttgart - Markus Babbel urged his VfB Stuttgart side Monday to "show a reaction" in their next Bundesliga game after a 4-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen left them second last in the table. The 37-year-old coach led a training session as local media speculated that his dismissal could now be on the cards.
The Stuttgarter Zeitung reported that Swiss coach Christian Gross was a likely successor.
"Is he being talked about? He's a good coach," said Babbel.
The former Bayern Munich and Liverpool defender cancelled a scheduled appearance on his German football federation DFB coaching course to be with the team.
"I am here to face up to the situation and not to give the boys an excuse that the coach isn't here and everything is going it's normal way," Babbel said.
"I'm assuming I can carry on doing my work and will be preparing the team for the game against Bochum."
Stuttgart are now 17th in the table on 11 points, one point behind Bochum, with only Hertha Berlin (5) behind them.
Babbel had hoped for a better performance from his side after a 2-0 win at Glasgow Rangers in the Champions League last Tuesday, but said the players "let themselves down" against league leaders Leverkusen.
"I expect them to show a reaction and show that they have recognized the seriousness of the situation," he said.
