Bayern suffer 3-0 defeat in Hitzfeld's first game back

BERLIN, Feb 2 (Reuters) Ottmar Hitzfeld's second spell in charge of Bayern Munich today began in miserable fashion as the faltering champions suffered a 3-0 defeat at Nuremberg.

Bayern fired Felix Magath and reappointed Hitzfeld as coach on Wednesday, after a goalless draw had left the club eight points behind the Bundesliga leaders in fourth place.

Hitzfeld's return saw matters go from bad to worse, as Nuremberg sealed an easy victory over their Bavarian rivals with goals from Ivan Saenko, Markus Schroth and Robert Vittek.

The result means Bayern, champions for the past two seasons, have taken just a point from their first three matches since the long mid-season break.

They are certain to fall even further off the title pace this weekend.

Werder Bremen and Schalke 04, who lead the standings with 42 points apiece, meet in a top-of-the-table clash at the Weserstadion on Sunday.

VfB Stuttgart, in third place with 35 points, are away at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.

Bayern remain in fourth place with 34 points after their sixth defeat of the league season.

Reuters SBA VP0330