Von Heesen replaces Meyer at Nürnberg

Thomas von Heesen has been named the new coach of German UEFA Cup contenders 1. FC Nürnberg after Hans Meyer was dismissed with the team in relegation trouble.

New faces
The 46-year-old former DSC Arminia Bielefeld boss has agreed a contract until summer 2009 with third-from-bottom Nürnberg. He will be assisted by Michael Oenning, the ex-assistant coach of VfL Wolfsburg, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and youth coach of VfL Bochum 1848. "I will have one-to-one talks with the players to show them how I intend to turn things around," Von Heesen said. "But I have a lot of respect for Hans Meyer and what he achieved here."

Trophy triumph
Meyer, 65, and assistant Jürgen Raab were sacked after the 1-1 home draw with FC Hansa Rostock on Saturday which left Nürnberg – last season's German Cup winners – two points from safety. He had led the Franconia side to consecutive eighth and sixth-placed finishes in the Bundesliga, in addition to the 3-2 cup final victory over champions VfB Stuttgart which secured Nürnberg's first trophy since 1968.

European Cup winner
The popular Meyer's replacement, Von Heesen, made his name as a player with Hamburger SV, lifting the 1982/83 European Champion Clubs' Cup, German titles in 1982 and 1983, as well as the 1987 German Cup. After ending his playing days with Arminia Bielefeld, he then coached the club, earning two promotions to the Bundesliga. He has also occupied the helm at 1. FC Saarbrucken and served as sporting director at Hannover 96 and Arminia. Success has been in short supply at Nürnberg this term, although 'Der Club' have reached the UEFA Cup's Round of 32, where they play SL Benfica, with the first leg in Portugal on Thursday.