Stefan Ruthenbeck succeeds Peter Stöger as Cologne head coach
Cologne have named Stefan Ruthenbeck as the full-time successor to Peter Stöger, who was dismissed from his position earlier this month after four and a half years in the role.
Ruthenbeck and his coaching staff had been in charge of the club’s U-19 before taking charge of the first team, initially on an interim basis, on 3 December. The 45-year-old former Greuther Fürth and Aalen boss has now been handed the reins until the end of the season after securing the Billy Goats’ first Bundesliga win of 2017/18 at home to Wolfsburg.
Watch: Cologne's first win of the season against Wolfsburg
“Stefan Ruthenbeck and his team have convinced me with their work. They prepare the team diligently, find the right things to say and good solutions in a tough situation,” said sporting director Armin Veh. “They have my trust and that’s why we’ve decided as a club to continue working with this coaching team.”
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Ruthenbeck himself added, “FC is my club. As someone born and raised in Cologne, it’s a real honour to be able to coach this club. It’s a great opportunity. Together with my team, I’ll do all I can to guide the team successfully through the remaining 17 games of the season and manage that miracle of avoiding relegation.”