German club VFB Stuttgart appoint Alexander Zorniger as head coach

Former Leipzig coach Alexander Zorniger has been appointed as the new Stuttgart manager

Stuttgart, May 26 (IANS) Alexander Zorniger was confirmed as the new manager of German football club VfB Stuttgart. One day after caretaker Huub Stevens stepped down, the 'Swabians' presented Zorniger as the new head coach on Monday. The 47-year-old put pen to paper on a three-year deal which keeps him with Stuttgart until June 2018, reports Xinhua.

"We appreciate the commitment of Alexander Zorniger as our new head coach. We have a concept in mind for the club and the coach's style of play will be a component of this concept," Stuttgart sporting director Robin Dutt said.

The former Leipzig coach knows Stuttgart as he worked as Markus Babbel's assistant in 2009.

"I am looking forward to this task with Stuttgart and I am convinced that we can develop and build something here. It is something special to become the head coach of my hometown," Zorniger said.

Stuttgart played a weak 2014-2015 season as they were caught at the bottom of Bundesliga most of the time. Under the guidance of Stevens, Stuttgart avoided relegation in the last round with a 2-1 comeback win over Paderborn.

The 'VfB' completed the season in 14th position, suffering 16 defeats and nine victories as well as draws, after 34 rounds.