Ruthenbeck named as Cologne head coach until end of season

BERLIN, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Stefan Ruthenbeck has been promoted to Cologne's head coach until the end of the season, the Bundesliga side confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.

The interims coach will be the successor of former coach Peter Stoeger after signing a contract until June 2018.

"Stefan Ruthenbeck and his team have convinced me with their work. They prepare the team conscientiously. Hence, they enjoy my trust and that is why we decided to continue working with this coaching team," Cologne's sporting director Armin Veh said.

Ruthenbeck had been in charge with Cologne youth teams but after the dismissal of Peter Stoeger earlier this month he was assigned as an interims coach of the first team.

However, after a positive development of the last-placed club, and the first win of the season, club's officials decided to promote Ruthenbeck and equipping him a contract until the end of the season.

"The FC is my club. It is a great honour for me as a native of Cologne to obtain the confidence as a head coach. Together with my team I will do everything possible to lead the team through the second half of the season and to secure the top flight status," Ruthenbeck said.

Cologne sit currently on the last place of the Bundesliga standings with only six points from 17 matches. To make things worse, the "Billy Goats" have an eleven-point gap to safety. Enditem