Dietmar Beiersdorfer parts company with Hamburg

The Bundesliga outfit released a statement on Wednesday in which they said that Dietmar Beiersdorfer, who until recently had been serving as both Hamburg's chairman and sporting director, had agreed to leave the organization in the best interests of the club.

"We have discussed the future on numerous occasions over the past few days and in the final analysis, Dietmar indicated that he didn't see himself in the role of sporting director at this point. I accept this and I respect this," Heribert Bruchhagen, who has replaced Beiersdorfer as club chairman was cited in the statement as saying.

"Over the past few days he has always conducted himself in a loyal manner and pressed on with his operative duties in a meticulous manner, so that we can enter the winter break well prepared. I would like to thank him for his trustworthy collaboration."

'Unbelievably difficult' decision

For his part, Beiersdorfer, who spent much of his playing career at the club, said the decision to leave was "unbelievably difficult."

However, he said he believed that this best for the club, as it would allow those in positions of responsibility to "work in peace in the future".

Beiersdorfer, who was appointed Hamburg chairman in July 2014, was relieved of his duties earlier this month after to the club's woeful start to the season. He agreed to stay on as sporting director until December 31.

As recently as Monday, there had been rumors that the 53-year-old hoped to remain at the club, with the mass circulation newspaper Bild reporting that he had demanded a seat back on the board - just days after he had been dismissed.

Search for a sporting director underway

Having been dead last in the standings on Matchday 12, Hamburg's form has improved in recent weeks, including Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Schalke, which put them in 16th and the relegation playoff spot pending Wednesday's games.

In Wednesday's statement, Bruchhagen said he had begun his search for a new sporting director.