Skibbe given one-year deal by Grasshoppers

Former Germany assistant Michael Skibbe has succeeded Uli Forte as coach of Grasshopper Club.

The 47-year-old has agreed a one-year deal with the Swiss Cup holders and will receive a 12-month extension should he guide the Zurich outfit to a contractually agreed finish in the Super League. His predecessor, Forte, informed the Grasshoppers board before the end of last season of his desire to activate a get-out clause in his contract and join BSC Young Boys.

Skibbe will take charge of his first training session on Monday. Of the appointment, Grasshoppers president André Dosé said: "Michael Skibbe boasts a wealth of experience through his work with four Bundesliga clubs. We are getting someone who has spent several years managing in youth football and then, during his time as a first-team manager, brought through young talent to play top-level football."

Most recently with Kardemir Karabükspor in Turkey, Skibbe has previously coached Borussia Dortmund, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hertha BSC Berlin and Galatasaray AŞ, besides being Rudi Völler's right-hand man when the former Germany striker was in charge of the national team.

Skibbe is the third German to sit in the dugout of the record 27-time Swiss champions, Helmuth Johannsen (1976–79) and Ottmar Hitzfeld (1988–91) having both previously won league titles with the club.

Grasshoppers, who earlier this week gave former Switzerland striker Johan Vonlanthen a route back into professional football with the offer of an initial 12-month contract, enter the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round.