Voss-Tecklenburg appointed Switzerland coach

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has been appointed coach of Switzerland's women's national team, the former Germany midfielder filling the role left vacant by Béatrice von Siebenthal's resignation at the end of last year.

The 44-year-old Voss-Tecklenburg will begin her assignment on 5 February after leaving her previous club FF USV Jena with immediate effect. She will also take charge of Switzerland's women's football academy on 1 August, though her first priority will be to take three points at home against UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying opponents Turkey on 31 March. Switzerland currently lie fourth in Group 2 with six points from four games.

Voss-Tecklenburg appeared 125 times for Germany and won the UEFA European Women's Championship on four occasions, in 1989, 1991, 1995 and 1997. She signed a one-year contract to coach Jena in June 2011, but had a release clause allowing her to take over a national team. Before joining Jena, she led FCR 2001 Duisburg to UEFA Women's Cup glory in 2008/09 and the German Cup in 2008/09 and 2009/10.