Soccer:Schalke 04 sacked coach Felix Magath today, just a week after he steered the German side into the Champions League quarter-finals.

"There are very good reasons for this separation," Schalke boss Clemens Toennies said on the club website (www.schalke04.de). "We will not comment on them, however, as there is a an ongoing legal procedure."

Magath, who also guided his team to the German Cup final with a win over holders Bayern Munich earlier this month, had a contract until 2013 but Schalke opted to terminate his engagement following a mediocre run in the Bundesliga.

Schalke had considered parting ways with Magath last week, with Toennies saying it was necessary "to draw a line now as the club is on fire". In the end, the club's surprise Champions League qualification served only to postpone the decision.

Magath joined Schalke in 2009 after steering VfL Wolfsburg to the German Bundesliga title.

In his first season in charge he guided Schalke to a second place finish but this season the team has languished in mid-table with fans angry with the coach's far-reaching powers within the fiercely-supported club and his controversial transfers.