Baumgart to coach relegation-threatened Koln next season

Berlin, May 11, 2021 (AFP) - Relegation-threatened Bundesliga club Cologne on Tuesday named Steffen Baumgart from second-tier side Paderborn as head coach for next season -- whether or not his new club remains in Germany's top flight.

Cologne are second-from-bottom and two points from safety with just two games to come against fellow strugglers Hertha Berlin and bottom side Schalke, who are already relegated.

They are also two points behind 16th-placed Arminia Bielefeld, who occupy the relegation play-off spot.

Baumgart, 49, took Paderborn from the third division to the Bundesliga after taking the reins in 2017, but stayed with the club when they were relegated back to the second division at the end of last season.

The former striker will replace caretaker coach Friedhelm Funkel, who has won two of his four games since taking over from Markus Gisdol.

"We are delighted that Steffen Baumgart has decided to join Cologne," said the club's sporting director Horst Heldt.

"He has done an outstanding job in Paderborn over the past few years.

"He has proven that he can develop players no matter what age and make them better."

Baumgart will see out his four-year Paderborn contract which expires at the end of the season.

"It was now time for me to make a change. The talks with Cologne were open and I'm looking forward to my new challenge," said Baumgart, who has signed a two-year contract with his future club.