Doll was shown the door following the 1-1 draw at home to Energie Cottbus which left Hamburg with just 15 points from 19 games.

"We regret this decision," chairman Bernd Hoffmann said on the club's website.

"We were convinced we could turn things around with Thomas Doll. But the impressions and the results from the last two games have forced us to react."

Doll said he was devastated by the decision.

"Of course I am very sad. I had two-and-a-half great years at HSV and I hope the team can soon bounce back."

The club said it would unveil a new coach before Saturday's match away to Hertha Berlin.

Doll, 40, a former German international midfielder, was appointed in October 2004 to replace Klaus Toppmoller.

He led Hamburg to third place in the Bundesliga and a Champions League qualification spot last season, but the team has spent much of this season in the relegation zone.

Doll is the third Bundesliga coach to part company with his club since Wednesday, when Felix Magath was fired by champions Bayern Munich and Jupp Heynckes quit at Borussia Monchengladbach.