Nagelsmann, 28, to become youngest coach in Bundesliga history next season

Berlin - Julian Nagelsmann will become the youngest coach in Bundesliga history when the 28-year-old takes charge of Hoffenheim next season, the club announced Tuesday, providing they avoid relegation.

With Hoffenheim second from bottom, Markus Gisdol was relieved of his duties as head coach on Monday and has been replaced by renowned German club saviour Huub Stevens for the rest of this season.

And rising talent Nagelsmann has been entrusted with the head coach's job from the start of July 2016, with his three-year contract set to start just before his 29th birthday.

He will continue coaching the club's Under-19 side for the rest of this season.

"This is the most logical and consistent decision," said Hoffenheim's multi-millionaire backer Dietmar Hopp.

"We want to continue to set standards in our youth teams' work and the same goes for our coaches."

It is a sign of Nagelsmann's prowess that Bayern Munich tried to poach him to coach their Under-17 team after he steered Hoffenheim's Under-19 team to the 2013/14 German title.

"I am looking forward to this exciting task and I'm grateful in advance for the trust placed in me and for this opportunity," said Nagelsmann, who has said he will give no further interviews until taking over from Stevens.

The self-declared perfectionist has just qualified with the highest possible mark in earning his senior coaches licence.

To ensure Nagelsmann has the chance to make Bundesliga history, Stevens has been tasked with keeping Hoffenheim in Germany's top flight after they have taken just six points from their first 10 games.

Having previously saved Hamburg and Stuttgart from relegation during his career, the 61-year-old took charge of training at Hoffenheim on Tuesday.

"I don't believe the team belongs down there," said Stevens when asked about relegation.

"If we come together, we have the chance to come away from the bottom places."

Dubbed "The Fireman" after saving German clubs in the past, Stevens seems to revel in his nickname.

"It's all part of being a fireman. Sometimes you have to put a fire out," he said ahead of his first game on Saturday against Cologne.

"My wife said I'm crazy, but the football addiction is always there, it never goes away."