Hannover 96 head coach Peter Neururer, who took over the job in November 2005, left the club today. After further discussions between 96 chairman Martin Kind and Neururer, the coach decided to leave the club by mutual agreement.

After a good start in 2005 when he took over the post from Ewald Lienen, with ten unbeaten matches in a row, 96 have taken a free fall. The lower saxony club won their last match on March 18th against 1. FC Cologne 1:0. Since then The Reds are still waiting for "three points". After three conseutive defeats from the beginning of the new season Hannover stay last in the table.

Tony Cater, a 96 supporter has visited Hannover last weekend, when The Reds lost their home match against Aachen, and I asked him to write something, why he came all the way up from England to Hannover. So, here it is. Word up for Tony, a true 96er:

Bert (96soccer.com moderator)

I have to own up to all 96 fans. The disappointing result against Aachen last Saturday was nothing to do with the players or coach Peter Neururer. It was because I was at the match! Let me explain. My father was in the British Army and was posted to the great city of Hannover where, 50 years ago in September I was born. My mother was from Köln but I was never destined to be a 1FC fan and so a love affair with Hannover 96 was born. Unluckily for me we moved away from Hannover when I was only 6 months old and we went back to live in England.

When I was young, the only news I got about 96 was an occasional football result in an English paper. Most of the time I didn't even know where they were in the league. Then one day in the late 1970s we came to Germany on holiday and were not too far from Hannover. Die Roten had a match against Rot-Weiss Essen and my Dad agreed to take me. You cannot imagine how excited I was going to the wonderful old Niedersachsen Stadion for the first time. It was a fantastic day apart from one thing - the result. Hannover were awful on the day and lost 3 - 1!

With the coming of the Internet and satellite television things are a lot better for an exiled 96 fan. I occasionally see a 96 match or at least the goals here in England. I always follow each match on the internet and wait for news of each goal, booking or substitution. 96soccer.com is just fantastic in helping me keep in touch with things. In my office I have my signed Jörg Sievers shirt hanging on the wall. My Niedersachsen flag is on the wall behind me and I've also managed to collect a number of 96 goodies from E-bay. My pride and joy is a video of the '92 cup final and match programme from the game.

This year I have been able to come back to Hannover with my wife to celebrate my 50th birthday. We spent several days in and around Hannover and we were both so pleased to have a long time to look around my wonderful "home town". I have read books and looked at pictures of Hannover before but never realised what a fantastic place it actually is.

And so to the game against Aachen! When I saw the fixture list I thought that this was a game that we should definitely win! After the last match I saw I felt that this was one game that would give me my first victory. After the first goal went in I was still confident. When the second goal went in after half time I was still sure that we could get at least a point. We had loads of pressure and Aachen started to look shaky at the back. Then the third goal went in - and that was that! My record in Hannover is therefore: Played 2, Lost 2, Goals for 1, Goals against 6, Points 0!

Although the result of the match was disappointing it was still fantastic to come to the AWD. What a wonderful stadium. The highlight for me, though, was the awesome 96 fans, especially in the North stand. The way they shouted and cheered the team on when they were struggling was fantastic. The way they cheered Aachen at the end of the match was just pure class. You just don't see this in England.

I'm not going to wait another 25 years for my next trip to the AWD Arena. For me this is now personal! I will not rest until I have seen my beloved 96 win (or at least draw!) a match. I've already started to arrange a further trip for later in the season and this time I'm bringing my son. He's never been to Hannover but is still a big fan of "Die Roten". Even if the other team score three again there is no way that we can score less than 0, so we can only get better! I will let people know when I'm coming - just in case people think I'm bad luck!

Tony Cater

Hamburg - Hertha 1:1
Mainz - Frankfurt 1:1

A disparate Red home side concede three goals (0-1) against promoted Alemannia Aachen, who celebrate their first away victory for 37 years, with three Bundesliga goals through Jan Schlaudraff (15min), Sascha Dum (47min) and Rainer Plaßhenrich (73min). Hannover is now last in the table with 11 goals against.



Hannover's head coach Peter Neururer changed his starting formation on two positions. Swedish international Christoffer Andersson replaces red-carded Michael Tarnat in left wing-back position, Albanian captain Altin Lala joins the squad for Chavdar Yankov in midfield. Aachen's coach Dieter Hecking relies on the same players who kept Schalke at bay, in last week's unlucky 0-1 home defeat.

The Reds get off to a good start and put heavy pressure on Aachen's defence lines. The guests linger deep in their own half and hope for blitz counter-attacks. But Hannover create the opportunities, with Vahid Hashemian missing the right post from Jiri Stajner's corner kick with a forceful header (6min). Six minutes later Hungarian transfer Szabolcs Huszti picks up Arnold Jan Bruggink's cross and finds himself unmarked and alone with Aachen's keeper Straub, but the Hungarian's effort only hits the side of the net (12min).
It is the guests who score though with their first chance, when Rösler lobs the ball to Schlaudraff, cancelling Hannover's carefully set offside trap. Schlaudraff penetrates the Reds' stationary defence, lifts the ball over advancing keeper Robert Enke, and converts with deadly accuracy (15min).

Hannover are dazed and confused, and have little means to break open Aachen's solid defence. Bruggink tries to level the result with a distance effort, but is denied by Straub (22min). The Reds slowly recuperate from shell-shock and create more chances. Czech international Jiri Stajner picks up the rebound from Huszti's free kick, and volleys the ball at target, but Straub parries the ball into safety (35min). Two minutes on, and Stajner finds Huszti at the edge of the area, but the Hungarian's low level shot is again saved by Aachen's keeper Straub (37min).

The visitors almost go up another goal just before the interval, when Rösler on the right unravels Hannover's entire defence, but Ebbers in central position cannot convert the cross (44min).

Both sides emerge unchanged after the break, and the Reds have their first chance through Bruggink's distance shot from 30 metres (46min). But the counter-attack gives Aachen another goal. Spaniard Cristian Fiel hammers the ball across half the field, and finds Sascha Dum, who hares down the pitch towards goal. Keeper Robert Enke slips on the wet turf, and Dum converts the ball mercilessly (47min).

Aachen now stay put in their own half, and allow Hannover to advance on their solid defence. But the Reds cannot capitalise from the away side's inertia. Hashemian's 40-metre distance shot is lifted over the bar by Straub (49min), Stajner's header from Huszti's free kick is bent around the right post by Straub (54min). Bremen transfer Frank Fahrenhorst sends a header from a Huszti corner wide (61min).

Aachen's dangerous fast-paced counter-attacking is decisive for the match. Schlaudraff easily by-passes Andersson on the right and sends a sharp low cross into the middle, where Hannover substitute Silvio Schröter fails to intercept the ball den Ball, but not so Aachen's Plasshenrich, who finally scores from point-blank position at the left post (72min).

The Reds are truly beaten, and lucky not to concede more goals, but somehow manage to make it to stopping time. Dismayed supporters vent their anger at players and head coach Peter Neururer alike.

Hannover stay last in the table, with three consecutive defeats and 11 goals against. Promoted Aachen continue their struggle away from the lower regions of the Bundesliga table.

STATISTICS

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Fahrenhorst, Zuraw, C. Andersson - Balitsch, Lala - Bruggink - Stajner, Huszti, Hashemian

Alemania Aachen: S. Straub - S. Pinto, Klitzpera, Sichone, Leiwakabessy - Plaßhenrich - Fiel, Rösler, Dum - Schlaudraff, Ebbers

Goals:
0:1 Schlaudraff (15., Right shot, assist Rösler)
0:2 Dum (47., Left shot, assist Fiel)
0:3 Plaßhenrich (72., Right shot, assist Schlaudraff)

Substitutions:
66. Thorvaldsson for Bruggink
67. Schröter for Cherundolo
---------------------------------
73. Reghecampf for Rösler
79. Matth. Lehmann for Dum
83. Ibisevic for Schlaudraff

Cautions: Lala, Fahrenhorst / Pinto, Dum

Spectators: 30,087
Referee: Gagelmann (Bremen)

Picture: O. Vosshage

Hertha BSC Berlin vs Hannover 96
14 : 7 shots on goal
4   : 2 corners
14 : 13 crosses
51% : 49% possession
53% : 47% tackles won
16 : 20 fouls
4 : 2 offsides

Most shots on goal:
96: T. Brdaric (3)
Berlin: Y. Bastuerk, M. Pantelic (4)

Most setups:
96: A. Bruggink, J. Stajner (2 each)
Berlin: Y. Bastuerk (4)

Most ball contact:
96: S. Cherundolo (72)
Berlin: Gilberto (91)

Percentage of tackles won:
96: D. Zuraw (69%)
Berlin: P. Dardai (76%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

The Reds lose the season's first away game against Hertha BSC Berlin 0-4. Goals through Berlin's Marko Pantelic (20min and 63min ), Pal Dardai (31min ) and Patrick Ebert (76min ) lead the way to a crushing 0-4 (0-2) defeat. Further sorrow for Hannover 96 and left defender Michael Tarnat, who is sent off after a late tackle against Berlin's Dutch midfielder Ellery Cairo (50min). Only Robert Enke has reason to celebrate his 100th Bundesliga match: the Hannover keeper saves his fifth penalty out of a total of six against during his Bundesliga career, and leaves Berlin's Yildiray Bastürk empty-handed (87min, picture).



Despite last week's 2-4 home defeat, Peter Neururer continues with a system geared towards attacking. The 96 head coach installs new playmaker Arnold Jan Bruggink behind the forwards, flanked by Chavdar Yankov in the midfield rhombus on the right and transfer Hungarian international Szabolcs Huszti on the left.
Hertha's head coach Falko Götz is relieved to welcome back Croatian international centre-back Josip Simunic from red card suspension. After three failed attempts to beat Hannover in the Olympiastadion, Berlin's hopes focus on Christian Giminez. The Argentinean forward plays from the start, with Chahed and Lakic dropping to the bench.

Strong defence is the word of the day for both sides right from kick-off, although there is a slight advantage for Berlin. Bastürk picks up a deflected Balitsch ball in the box, but keeper Enke parries with panache (7min ).
Gilberto switches sides and finds Cairo, who feeds the ball to the middle, where Pantelic is lurking. The Serbian striker shoves the ball in and gives Berlin the lead (20min ).

The Reds try to step up the pace, but a flawless 'Berlin Wall' defence stifles every attempt. Hertha launch several blitz attacks involving Bastürk, and are finally successful, when transfer Giminez side-steps Cherundolo, unleashes at goal, hits the left post, and the deflected ball is finally put away by Dardai (31min ).
Hannover find no means to create clear-cut opportunities in the remaining first half, even with substitute Thomas Brdaric injecting a bit of fresh blood into midfield. Enke prevents worse things happening when denying Pantelic's strong effort (45min).

Whatever Hannover had in mind for the second half is blown out of the window, when old hand trusty Tarnat sees red for late-tackling Cairo (50min).

The Reds try hard, but a keen home side aren't content with the result yet. Bastürk has plenty of room on the right to spot Pantelic on the edge of the six-yard box in central position, who puts Bastürk's precise cross away (63min ).

The Reds give up the game for lost, but the Berlin bear is still hungry. Substitute Patrick Ebert crowns his first appearance in the Olympiastadion with a goal from 14 metres. Young hopeful Ebert converts Yildiray Bastürk's clever cross that is concluding the Turkish local hero's daring run through Hannover's defence line (76min). Nearing the end, the Reds' transfer centre-back Frank Fahrenhorst fells Bastürk in the box, but Enke denies the Turkish international in the resulting penalty (87min ).

Keen Hertha BSC Berlin show a convincing performance in beating Hannover 96, who lack creativity and determination. The Reds concede a further four goals against, totalling eight in two matches so far in the season.

STATISTICS

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo , Zuraw, Fahrenhorst, Tarnat - Balitsch - Yankov, Bruggink, Huszti - Stajner, Hashemian

Hertha BSC Berlin: Fiedler - A. Friedrich, van Burik, Simunic, Fathi - Dardai - Cairo, Bastürk, Gilberto - Pantelic, Gimenez

Goals:
1:0 Pantelic (20., right shot, setup by Cairo)
2:0 Dardai (31., right shot, setup by Gimenez)
3:0 Pantelic (63., right shot, setup by Bastürk)
4:0 Ebert (76., right shot, setup by Bastürk)

Substitutions:
39. Brdaric for Yankov
60. C. Andersson for Huszti
70. Lala for Stajner
---------------------------------
62. Ebert for Cairo
73. Lakic for Pantelic
79. Chahed for Dardai

Cautions: Huszti, Tarnat (50.) / van Burik, Ebert

Spectators: 37,166
Referee: Drees, Dr. (Mainz)

Picture: S. Zwing

Hannover 96 vs Werder Bremen
16 : 21 shots on goal
2   : 11 corners
12 : 18 crosses
52% : 48% possession
43% : 57% tackles won
19 : 14 fouls
7 : 8 offsides

Most shots on goal:
96: S. Huszti (4)
Bremen: M. Klose (5)

Most setups:
96: J. Stajner (7)
Bremen: P. Wome (5)

Most ball contact:
96: S. Cherundolo (93)
Bremen: P. Wome (82)

Percentage of tackles won:
96: S. Cherundolo (72%)
Bremen: P. Pasanen (79%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

Despite a strong performance on Hannover's side The Reds were losing 2:4 against northern rival Werder Bremen at home. The visitors opened the scoring with a goal from Diego in the 20th, while Hannover came back with the equaliser from Stajner 20 minutes later. 96 finally went ahead through Vahid Hashemian's goal in the 67th (2:1). Bremen then turned the match through goals from Almeida, Klose and Jensen.

New signings Frank Fahrenhorst, Arnold Bruggink and Szabor Huszti were all handed their debuts for 96, while Vinicus Bergantin missed out through a flew, so Fahrenhorst partnered Dariusz Zuraw in the centre of defence. 96-head coach Peter Neururer employed with a 4:4:2 formation, with Hashemian and Stajner playing upfront.

For Werder Bremen, new signing Fritz stepped into the void right back, while Ivan Klasnic and Miroslav Klose started in attack. Werder's coach Thomas Schaaf played as well with a 4:4:2 formation.

It was the visitor's who created the first opportunity of the match through a header from Frank Bauman who hit the right post after a right corner by Womé (7th). Just two minutes later Hungarian international Huszti crossed in to Hashemian who has tricked the outrushing Bremen keeper Tim Wiese, but finally missed the right post (9th). But Hannover moved forward when Hanno Balisch sent in a cross from the right wing wher Bruggink and Hashemian as well were two steps behind to convert this chance (11th).

Bremen did better, when Diego took a rebound after a pass from Klose in Hannover's penalty box leaving Robert Enke no chance for a save when the ball has found the net in the 20th to 0:1.

It took a while that Hannover came back...with the equaliser into the right corner from Czech Jiri Stajner after a fine delivery from Michael Tarnat in the 40th minute of play (1:1). Five minutes later the 96 crowd were yelling when referee Wack blowed the whistel for a penalty inside Hannover's box, after Klose went down during a battle between him and Enke. But the 96 goalkeeper, who has been voted in the last two years as best goalkeeper of the Bundesliga, brilliantly saved Borowski shot into the left corner.

Halftime 1:1

After the interval Hannover 96 dominated the match wich resulted in two chances for the home side: Stajner setup Huszti's attemtpt in the 52nd which missed the right post. It was again the Chzech International who setup the next scene when he deliverd to Hashemian who strucked the ball into the net to 2:1.

Bremen responded 7 minutes later with a header at the crossbar from German international and top scorer in this year's worldcup Klose. A few moments later the equaliser for Bremen fell through a header from substitute Hugo Almeida after a harmless cross by Fritz from the right wing.

Five minutes to play Bremen's new signing Brasilian Diego has beaten 2 Hannover defenders and crossed to Klose in the right penalty box, who netted home in the 85th. But Diego has shown his skills again, when he setup the last goal for Bremen wich Jensen has scored to the final result 2:4.

It was the same procedure as every year, Hannover can't win obviously that derby! It was a good and intense match and Bremen have shown that they are one of the teams who can win the title. 96 have lost everything in the last minutes of play. Hungarian Huszti gave a good debut on the left wing, and Jiri Stajner has shown his skills again.

STATISTICS

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Fahrenhorst, Zuraw, Tarnat - Balitsch - Yankov, Huszti - Bruggink - Stajner, Hashemian

Werder Bremen: Wiese - C. Fritz, Pasanen, Naldo, Womé - Baumann - Frings, Borowski - Diego - Klose, Klasnic

Goals:
0:1 Diego (20., left shot, assist by Klose)
1:1 Stajner (40., right shot, assist by Tarnat)
2:1 Hashemian (67., right shot, assist by Stajner)
2:2 Hugo Almeida (79., header, assist by C. Fritz)
2:3 Klose (85., right shot, assist by Diego)
2:4 D. Jensen (90., left shot, assist by Diego)

Substitutions:
68. Brdaric for Bruggink
76. Rosenthal for Hashemian
87. Schröter for Yankov
---------------------------------
59. D. Jensen for Borowski
71. Hunt for Baumann
76. Hugo Almeida for Klasnic

Bookings: Zuraw/Diego, Womé, Hunt

Spectators: 49,000
Referee: Wack, Dr. (Biberbach)

Mainz - Bochum 2:1
Gladbach - Cottbus 2:0
Schalke - Frankfurt 1:1
Leverkusen - Aachen 3:0
Hamburg - Bielefeld 1:1
Stuttgart - Nuremberg 0:3
Bayern - Dortmund 2:0 (Friday)

Despite Hannover had most possession of the game, and have created many scoring opportunities as well, The Reds drew 0:0 with english Premier league club Aston Villa infront of 35,604 spectators. Hannover 96 still remain unbeaten during their pre-season preparation.

STATISTICS

Hannover 96: Enke – Cherundolo (57. Andersson), Vinicius, Zuraw, Tarnat (57. Nagy) – Balitsch (76. Rosenthal), Yankov (ab 57. Schröter), Huszti (76. Jendrisek), Bruggink (57. Lala) – Stajner (57. Thorvaldsson), Hashemian (57. Brdaric)

Aston Villa: Sorensen – Hughes (46. Delaney), Mellberg (76. Laursen), Ridgewell (46. Cahill), Bouma – Gardener, Berson (59. Djemba-Djemba), Whittingham (59. Samuel), Barry – Phillips (46. Moore), Agbonlahor

Bookings: Huszti, Balitsch / Phillips

Spectators: 35,604