BERLIN, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Markus Gisdol has been appointed as new Cologne's head coach while Horst Heldt has replaced sporting managing director Armin Veh, the "Billy Goats" announced on Monday.
Former Hoffenheim and Hamburg coach Markus Gisdol will take the helm at struggling Cologne meanwhile Horst Heldt has been recruited as the new sporting managing director. Both have penned a deal stipulated until summer 2021.
"Markus is an experienced coach and has proven this at his previous clubs. He can help teams in such situation and set the right impulse. Besides, he is stress resistant and knows the restless environment of a big club," Cologne's head of the first team Frank Aehlig said.
Gisdol will indeed face a challenge at newly promoted Cologne, who suffered eight defeats in 11 Bundesliga games to slump to the 17th place of the standings.
New sporting managing director Heldt knows the club very well as he started his professional career at Cologne.
"Cologne is not just a job for me. I return to the club where I turned professional and with which I am still connected. The situation is not easy but it is not as bad as it is sometime portrayed," said Heldt.
Cologne will encounter runner up Leipzig at the 12th round in Bundesliga on Saturday.
