Voeller named Germany coach
until 2002 World Cup

The German Football Association (DFB) said on Thursday Rudi Voeller would coach Germany until the 2002 World Cup.

Assuming Germany would qualify for the finals in Japan and South Korea, acting DFB president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder told a news conference: "Rudi Voeller will lead the team to the 2002 World Cup."

The 40-year-old former German international striker was appointed on a caretaker basis last July but had been under pressure to stay on after Christoph Daum was ruled out of the top job following a positive drugs test.

The national side, who crashed out of Euro 2000 in the first round last June, have won all three matches they have played under Voeller's direction.

Daum, who was due to take over the reins of the national team from Voeller next year, also resigned as Leverkusen coach after a drugs test proved positive. Daum had agreed to the test following rumours about his personal life.

Voeller stepped in for him at Leverkusen, who have not lost since, but both the club and the DFB had made it clear he could only fill both seats temporarily.

Leverkusen said former Germany head coach Berti Vogts will replace Voeller as Leverkusen coach to make him available for the national team.

"It was clear that the double role was not a solution," Voeller said.

"To be honest with you, I am happy that Saturday will be the last time I coach Leverkusen."

COMPROMISE

The DFB, who had urged Leverkusen to release Voeller of his coaching duties, agreed he could remain the club's sports director for the time being.

"It is a compromise which protects the interest of both the DFB and Leverkusen," said Mayer-Vorfelder, adding Voeller should give the priority to the national team from February.

Germany play Denmark in a friendly next week in Copenhagen but their next match after that, a friendly against France in Paris, is not until February.

Voeller scored 47 goals in 90 internationals and helped West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. He had no coaching experience when he took over from Erich Ribbeck after Germany's poor Euro 2000 campaign.

Vogts, 53, had been looking for a job since he stepped down as head coach after Germany's quarter-final exit from the 1998 World Cup in France.

Vogts played 102 times for West Germany and was a member of the side that won the 1974 World Cup. He coached Germany to victory in the 1996 European championship in England.

Second division Saarbruecken coach Klaus Toppmoeller had also been approached by Leverkusen but his club, fighting to win promotion to the first division, wanted to keep him.

"I'm looking forward to it," Vogts said of his new task, starting from Monday. "We want to continue to play attractive and successful football."