Augenthaler takes over at Wolfsburg

German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg appointed World Cup winning former German defender Klaus Augenthaler as their new coach yesterday.

Augenthaler, 48, has signed a contract running until June 2007, the club said on its website.

He will replace Holger Fach, sacked 11 days ago alongside manager Thomas Strunz, after an eight-match winless run left Wolfsburg 13th in the 18-team Bundesliga.

Augenthaler will be presented at a news conference today before meeting the team for a training session on January 3.

His appointment at Wolfsburg was a surprise as Ralf Rangnick, recently fired from Schalke 04, had appeared the frontrunner. Wolfsburg even said on Tuesday they had taken a big step in securing Rangnick's interest in the vacancy.

Managing director Klaus Fuchs, who will also become the club's manager, acknowledged Wolfsburg had faced a choice between two excellent candidates.

Lothar Sander, head of the supervisory board that approved Augenthaler's appointment, said the club had got itself one of Germany's best trainers.

"He has proven he is a total football expert in his career to date and shown he can motivate and lead a team," Sander said.

"He embodies natural authority and convinced people with his straight and consistent work."