Breitenreiter to coach Hoffenheim after successful stint at FC Zurich

Berlin, May 24, 2022 (AFP) - Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on Tuesday named Andre Breitenreiter, who last season led FC Zurich to the Swiss league title, as their new coach.

The 48-year-old, who has previously coached Paderborn, Schalke and Hanover 96 in the Bundesliga, turned around the fortunes of Zurich, who won the Swiss league title by six points.

Hoffenheim have reportedly paid €300,000 ($321,739) to release him from his Zurich contract, which had a year to run.

Breitenreiter replaces Sebastian Hoeness, who was sacked at the end of the season when Hoffenheim finished ninth in Germany's top flight, six points from the European places, having been fourth in December.

Breitenreiter, a former striker, says he has "big ambitions" at Hoffenheim, who are targeting a return to Champions League football, having last qualified for the group stages in 2018-19.

The club's principles of playing attack-minded "courageous, flexible" football "absolutely matches my idea of the game", he added.