Stuttgart’s Stevens leaving club, won’t retire

Stuttgart coach Huub Stevens has saved the club from relegation twice. (Martin Meissner/AP)

STUTTGART, Germany — Dutch coach Huub Stevens is leaving Stuttgart after returning to save the club from Bundesliga relegation for the second time in as many years.

The 61-year-old Stevens was expected to step down after avoiding the drop and Stuttgart says his contract will not be renewed.

Stevens took over for his second stint in charge following the resignation of Armin Veh in November and clinched survival on the final day of the season Saturday with a 2-1 win at Paderborn, which was relegated.

Stuttgart sports director Robin Dutt says: "Stevens is the coach of the century at another club (Schalke). For us he’s saviour of the century."

Stevens told Kicker recently he had no plans for retirement from football.

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