ronaldinhoshow
Oct 9 2005, 03:08 PM
Bayer Leverkusen have appointed Michael Skibbe as the club's new coach.
Skibbe has been a front-runner for the role since Klaus Augenthaler was sacked by Leverkusen in mid-September.
Matthias Sammer rejected the opportunity, while Denmark coach Morten Olsen was also linked, although Skibbe has always been in the frame.
He has signed a contract at the BayArena until 2007 and will be reunited with Rudi Voller in Leverkusen.
Voller had Skibbe as his assistant during his time as Germany's national team coach and is now director of football with Bayer.
The former prolific striker had been in caretaker charge of Bayer, since Augenthaler's exit, and will now hand over the reins to Skibbe.
For the past five years, Skibbe has been working for the German Football Federation (DFB) and has held a variety of roles.
In addition to being Voller's one-time assistant, he was also youth co-ordinator and has most recently been in charge of the Under-18 side.
DFB acting president Theo Zwanziger confirmed the federation had given their blessing to Skibbe's departure to Bayer.
Zwanziger commented: "We regret the fact that we are losing a proven football specialist in Michael Skibbe and wish him well in his new job with Bayer Leverkusen. "In the name of the DFB president, I would like to thank Michael Skibbe for the good work he has done over the last five years with both the national team and the new generation."
Skibbe has been a front-runner for the role since Klaus Augenthaler was sacked by Leverkusen in mid-September.
Matthias Sammer rejected the opportunity, while Denmark coach Morten Olsen was also linked, although Skibbe has always been in the frame.
He has signed a contract at the BayArena until 2007 and will be reunited with Rudi Voller in Leverkusen.
Voller had Skibbe as his assistant during his time as Germany's national team coach and is now director of football with Bayer.
The former prolific striker had been in caretaker charge of Bayer, since Augenthaler's exit, and will now hand over the reins to Skibbe.
For the past five years, Skibbe has been working for the German Football Federation (DFB) and has held a variety of roles.
In addition to being Voller's one-time assistant, he was also youth co-ordinator and has most recently been in charge of the Under-18 side.
DFB acting president Theo Zwanziger confirmed the federation had given their blessing to Skibbe's departure to Bayer.
Zwanziger commented: "We regret the fact that we are losing a proven football specialist in Michael Skibbe and wish him well in his new job with Bayer Leverkusen. "In the name of the DFB president, I would like to thank Michael Skibbe for the good work he has done over the last five years with both the national team and the new generation."