"It is the most difficult situation in the club's Bundesliga history," Stuttgart president Erwin Staudt told reporters.

"We looked for solutions with the coaching staff but after a lot of discussions with the board we decided to go our separate ways."

Stuttgart, who won the Bundesliga in 2007, collected just three points from their first seven games. They lie at the bottom of the 18-team table.

Gross took over at the club in December 2009 and helped them book a Europa League berth after they struggled at the wrong end of the table before his arrival.

He will be replaced by assistant coach Jens Keller, who will be in charge of Stuttgart until the end of the season.