Lure of Leverkusen tempts Kohler

Jürgen Kohler, the German 1990 FIFA World Cup winner, has been appointed Bayer 04 Leverkusen's new technical director.

Distinguished career
Kohler, who called time on a distinguished career at the end of last season after winning the German title with BV Borussia Dortmund, has signed a five-year deal and will start his new job on Monday. The 37-year-old will leave his post as the national Under-21 team coach after the German Football Association said that they were willing to release him from his contract. A successor is to be announced shortly.

'Great potential'
"I'm looking forward to my new job in Leverkusen," Kohler said. "The club is run superbly and the team has great potential." Reiner Calmund, the chief executive of the club, was similarly enthused with the appointment. "With Kohler, we've found a long-term solution that will enable us to secure continuity in the development of Bayer 04," he said.

Völler comments
German senior team coach Rudi Völler, himself a former director of sport at Leverkusen, said: "The DFB will not put any obstacles in Jürgen Kohler's way. It's solely his decision. Based on his experience he is certainly the right man.

Battling relegation
After finishing last season as runners-up in the UEFA Champions League, 1.Bundesliga and the German Cup, Leverkusen have had a poor season and are currently battling to avoid relegation.