Soccer-Bayern sack coach Magath, appoint Hitzfeld

BERLIN, Jan 31 (Reuters) Bayern Munich sacked coach Felix Magath and replaced him with former boss Ottmar Hitzfeld in a shock move today.

The coaching change came the day after a goalless draw at home to relegation candidates Bochum left the 20-times German champions in fourth place in the Bundesliga, in danger of slipping eight points off the title pace.

''We had to react due to concern over a Champions League place for next season,'' Bayern said in a statement.

Hitzfeld, who has been appointed until the end of the season, won the Champions League with Bayern in 2001 during a long and successful spell as coach.

Magath replaced Hitzfeld in July 2004 and guided the club to league and cup doubles in each of his first two seasons in charge.

Magath wrote off the side's chances of making up the deficit to win the Bundesliga again in the wake of Tuesday's home draw with Bochum.

''We don't need to talk about the title any more,'' Magath told reporters. ''We have to make sure of getting second or third.'' Bayern are also out of the German Cup after losing to modest Alemannia Aachen in December.

They are still in with a chance of winning the European Cup -- a competition they last won under Hitzfeld in 2001 -- with a second round Champions League tie to come against Real Madrid.

REUTERS SP PM2149