Stuttgart have called a press conference at which the departure of coach Markus Babbel is expected to be confirmed.

Babbel's position has come under threat after presiding over an eight-game winless run in the Bundesliga which has seen the 2007 champions slide alarmingly down the table and into the relegation zone.

After yesterday's 1-1 draw with 10-man Bochum, over 2000 Stuttgart fans protested outside the Mercedes-Benz Arena, where Babbel, director of sport Horst Heldt and club president Erwin Staudt were holding crisis talks.

Babbel emerged from the meeting to say that he was not going to be rushed into making a decision on his future, but events appear to have overtaken him today.

The club cancelled this morning's training session, and the online version of the respected Bild newspaper is reporting that Stuttgart's players have already been informed of Babbel's departure.

The expected removal of Babbel comes just three days before Stuttgart are to contest a crucial Champions League game against Unirea Urziceni, where victory would see the German side progress to the knockout stage.

Babbel took over from Armin Veh at the Stuttgart helm on November 23 last year, just days before a UEFA Cup tie at Sampdoria.

The 37-year-old was given special dispensation to stay on as coach until the end of the season despite not holding recognised coaching badges.

The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich defender nevertheless led the Swabians from mid-table obscurity to third place come the end of last season, sealing a place in the Champions League in the process.