Fink leaves Basel to coach Hamburg

Thorsten Fink has left FC Basel 1893 with immediate effect to coach Hamburger SV, with assistant Heiko Vogel taking caretaker charge of the Swiss champions.

Basel announced that Hamburg approached them ten days ago and although they initially rebuffed the request, an agreement has now been reached for Fink to become the long-term successor to Michael Oenning, who parted company with the Bundesliga side last month. Vogel, 35, is set to occupy the helm of UEFA Champions League contenders Basel until the end of the year, with the club to "take time considering options for the future".

Former FC Bayern München player Fink, 43, joined Basel from FC Ingolstadt 04 in June 2009 and led them to two Swiss titles. As he joined a team bottom of the Bundesliga, he said: "Following Hamburg's offer I had a difficult decision to make. It's sad to leave Basel, the fantastic fans and this great region. I am leaving a team who, in my opinion, are in great condition and I'm placing them in Heiko Vogel's very competent hands."

He leaves Basel top of UEFA Champions League Group C after a 2-1 comeback win against FC Oţelul Galaţi and a dramatic 3-3 draw at Manchester United FC. They are level on points with SL Benfica, who visit Basel on Tuesday.