Markus Anfang has resigned as Werder Bremen coach after a criminal investigation was opened against him for allegedly using a fake coronavirus vaccination certificate.
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The second division club said assistant Florian Junge was also stepping down over the probe.
"The reason for the decision is the public prosecutors' investigations into the two coaches and the ensuing unrest surrounding the club," Bremen said on Saturday.
Anfang said: "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.
"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."
Bremen's prosecution office confirmed on Friday that they have launched a probe against Anfang after the northern German city's health office filed a criminal complaint.
Prosecutors said they received the vaccination passports from both men, who cooperated with the investigation so that an issued search warrant did not have to be enforced on Friday.
Anfang did not comment directly on the allegations in Saturday's statement.
He had dismissed them in a club statement issued late Thursday. That statement is no longer available on the club website, neither in German nor in English.
Bremen managing director Frank Baumann had said on Friday that "Markus has assured us that everything has been correct and that he is vaccinated. And therefore there is no reason from our side to doubt this."
In Saturday's statement, Baumann said: "With this step, Markus and Florian have taken responsibility and aim to end the unrest that has surrounded the club in the last days. We respect their decision and will now begin the search for a new head coach."
Bremen said that another assistant, Danjiel Zenkovic, would be in charge of the team for Saturday night's league match against Schalke.
Anfang took over as Werder coach in summer after the club's relegation from the Bundesliga. He was previously at second-tier Darmstadt.
Bremen also said on Saturday that their head of professional football, Clemens Fritz, has tested positive for the coronavirus and is in isolation.
Australian Associated Press
