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Frankfurt appoint Niko Kovac as new head coach

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Eintracht Frankfurt have appointed former Croatia international Niko Kovac as their new head coach, the "Eagles" confirmed in an official statement on Tuesday.

Two days after the dismissal of Armin Veh, Frankfurt present their new head coach Niko Kovac. The former Croatia coach takes the helm, alongside with his brother and co-assistant Robert Kovac, after putting pen to pen to paper on until June 2017.

"It must be Niko Kovac's goal to avoid relegation and we are confident that he will secure our top flight status," Eintracht Frankfurt's chairman Heribert Burchhagen said.

Kovac, who was born in West Berlin, knows the Bundesliga very well. He made overall 241 appearances in Germany's top flight and played for Berlin, Hamburg, Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, where he lifted the domestic double in 2003.

The 44-year-old former central midfielder was Croatia coach from 2013 till 2015 and led the team to the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

"I am very happy and delighted to coach such a great team. We are in a difficult situation but I am sure that we can make it," Niko Kovac said.

The "Eagles" sit currently on the 16th place, a relegation play-off spot, with two points to safety. Frankfurt encounter sixth-placed Monchengladbach at the 26th round of Bundesliga on Saturday. Endit