Hertha Berlin have announced 73-year-old Otto Rehhagel is set to return to the Bundesliga as their new manager.
Former Greece coach to answer SOS call
Hertha Berlin have announced 73-year-old Otto Rehhagel is set to return to the Bundesliga as their new manager in a bid to save the club from relegation.
The club's director of sport, Michael Preetz, has confirmed Rehhagel has given him his word and he will start work in the capital on Sunday.
His return is 12 years after his last appointment in Germany with Kaiserslautern and quashes reports Hertha wanted Hajduk Split boss Krassimir Balakov.
"Otto Rehhagel has agreed to help us out of our situation and he will be coming to us until the end of the season," said Preetz to Sky television in Germany on Saturday.
"He will be coming to Berlin tomorrow and then he will work with the team from next week."
Aim
Rehhagel replaces Michael Skibbe, whose short reign ended last weekend after five straight defeats.
Under 19s coach Rene Tretschok was in charge for Saturday's defeat by Borussia Dortmund and he - along with his assistant, Ante Covic, who was formerly coach of the club's Under 15s - will form part of Rehhagel's coaching staff.
"We are a promoted team with the clear aim of avoiding relegation and we have ended up in a difficult situation," Preetz said.
"We are therefore convinced that we needed an experienced coach like Otto Rehhagel and that, together with the two young coaches, he is the right man for this situation to reach our goals at the end of the season."
Rehhagel won three Bundesliga titles, two in a 14-year spell in charge of Werder Bremen and one with Kaiserslautern, leading the latter to the title in their first season in the top flight following promotion from the second division.
He also coached Greece to glory at Euro 2004 before stepping down after failing to lead the country to Euro 2012.
