Relegated Cologne hire Struber as coach

Relegated FC Cologne have appointed Gerhard Struber to coach the side in the German second division.

Struber most recently coached Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga and Champions League, having had stints as an assistant with New York Red Bulls and Engish club Barnsley.

German website Kicker reported Struber received a two-year contract.

Three-time Bundesliga champions Cologne finished second to last and were automatically relegated at the end of last season after five years in the top flight.

Cologne, whose local rivals Bayer Leverkusen won the league for the first time last season, joined Darmstadt in going down, while St Pauli were promoted alongside Holstein Kiel, who moved into the top flight for the first time.