Hertha turn to experienced Rehhagel

Otto Rehhagel, the man who led Greece to unexpected glory at UEFA EURO 2004, has returned to coaching with Bundesliga strugglers Hertha BSC Berlin.

Sporting director Michael Preetz confirmed the 73-year-old, who played for the club between 1963 and 1965, "has committed himself to taking over the coaching position until the end of the season". Rehhagel succeeds Michael Skibbe, who parted company with Hertha last weekend, less than two months after replacing Markus Babbel.

Hertha will hope Rehhagel, who has been out of work since resigning as Greece coach after their group stage elimination at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, can replicate some of the success he enjoyed in previous Bundesliga positions. He spent 14 years in charge of SV Werder Bremen between 1981 and 1995, winning the league twice, the German Cup on two occasions and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1992.

After a brief spell with FC Bayern München, Rehhagel joined former club 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 1996 and, after leading them to promotion, steered the Rhineland team to the Bundesliga title in their first season back among the elite. With 820 matches to his name, Rehhagel has coached in more German top-flight games than anybody else.

Hertha are two points clear of the relegation zone in the Bundesliga following a 1-0 home defeat on Saturday by leaders Borussia Dortmund, their sixth successive reverse in all compeititons.