Salzburg quick to extend Stevens deal

FC Salzburg coach Huub Stevens has signed a one-year extension to his contract, committing him to the Austrian side until the summer of 2012.

With Salzburg second in the Bundesliga and through to the UEFA Europa League round of 32, Stevens had reportedly attracted interest from a number of other clubs, but the 56-year-old has moved to quash speculation about his future. "I feel at home in Salzburg," said the Dutchman. "Salzburg are at a very exciting, challenging and promising stage and I want to play a part."

Stevens, a former Netherlands defender who counts FC Schalke 04, Hertha BSC Berlin and Hamburger SV among the teams he has coached, joined Salzburg from PSV Eindhoven last summer. He has led Die Bullen (the Bulls) to within two points of the Bundesliga summit and through to the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League where they will meet R. Standard de Liège on 18 and 25 February.

Salzburg stormed through the group stage as the only side with a perfect record after a pair of wins against each of Villarreal CF, S.S. Lazio and PFC Levski Sofia in Group G. Stevens lifted the UEFA Cup as Schalke boss in 1997, and Salzburg sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer was delighted to have persuaded him to stay. "We're convinced of his quality and think continuity in this position is crucial to Salzburg's progress," he said.