Frankfurt, who are just three points off the relegation play-off after snatching only their first win since the winter break over fellow strugglers St. Pauli last week, said the bad run of the past few months was decisive in their decision.
"We took this step because we showed clear weaknesses in the second half of the season," club boss Heribert Bruchhagen told reporters. "It is a decision out of responsibility for the club. We believe we can still stay up with the new coach."
"I want to create an atmosphere of optimism," Daum told the Koelner Express newspaper. "I am not a firefighter but a coach with a concept. That is why I don't think about the second division."
Skibbe's departure is the latest in a series of coaching changes in the Bundesliga with Germany coach Joachim Loew warning it could hurt the Bundesliga's image.
"I am very disappointed. I thought we could also win against VfL Wolfsburg," Skibbe told Germany's Bild online.
