Stuttgart swoop for Sammer

VfB Stuttgart have confirmed the signing of Matthias Sammer as the club's new coach.

Quick change
Just one day after parting company with BV Borussia Dortmund, Sammer has agreed to take over at Stuttgart from Felix Magath, who will begin his new role as coach of FC Bayern München during the summer. The 37-year-old has signed a contract that will keep him at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion until 2007.

'Interesting task'
"When it became clear that I would leave Dortmund I knew that if it came to taking over another club quickly then it would have to be a club I know," said Sammer, who made 62 appearances for Stuttgart between 1990 and 1992. "I know Stuttgart and am looking forward to an interesting task here.

Ongoing programme
"Everything has moved very fast in the last few days," added Sammer, who won the German title with Stuttgart in 1991/92 and scored 20 goals for the club. "I will try and continue Magath's good work at Stuttgart. The outlook is one with a young, hungry team with old leaders."
 
The right man
Club president Erwin Staudt added: "We wanted a young coach to continue where Magath left off. Sammer fits the bill in every sense and we are happy and proud that he has decided to join the club. He knows his way around VfB Stuttgart, the Bundesliga and European football. He is the person we really wanted."

Fourth place
Unlike Magath, who has agreed to replace Ottmar Hitzfeld at Bayern after three years in Stuttgart, Sammer will not take on the roles of both coach and manager but will just focus on coaching. Stuttgart finished fourth in the Bundesliga the season just finished and will play in the UEFA Cup next season.