Röber assumes Dortmund duties

Former Bundesliga star Jürgen Röber has been named as the new coach of BV Borussia Dortmund following the departure of Bert van Marwijk yesterday.

Birthday coming
The former Werder Bremen, FC Bayern München and Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder, who celebrates his 53rd birthday on Christmas Day, has replaced Dutchman Van Marwijk was dismissed in the wake of a 2-1 home defeat against Leverkusen on Sunday. "Dortmund have always been very strong at home side and, with the support of the fans, we have to try to get that back," said Röber, who has initially agreed a contract until June 2007.

Bundesliga giant
Röber played 303 Bundesliga matches between 1974 and 1986, scoring 75 goals. He then took charge of VfB Stuttgart before leading Hertha BSC Berlin from the 2. Bundesliga into the UEFA Champions League in a six-year spell in the German capital between 1996 and 2002. He later had spells in charge of VfL Wolfsburg and Serbian side FK Partizan, where he had his contract terminated on 11 May after they finished behind FK Crvena Zvezda in the league table.