Werder Bremen planning on new Schaaf contract

Apr 13, 2011, 11:08 GMT

Bremen, Germany - Werder Bremen want to keep Thomas Schaaf as coach beyond 2012 despite the club's worst Bundesliga season for more than 10 years, club chief Klaus Allofs was reported as saying Wednesday.

'We want to continue with Thomas Schaaf and extend his contract,' Allofs told Bild daily.

'With players we are thinking beyond 2012 and that's how it is with the coach.'

Schaaf, 49, is the Bundesliga's longest serving current coach. He has been in charge at Bremen since May 1999 and has a contract until June 30, 2012.

Allofs said he was optimistic Schaaf would want to continue at Bremen.

'I know he is on the list of several clubs, but we have worked together for almost 12 years and know each other well. I am very relaxed about it,' Allofs said.

Bremen's successes under Schaaf have included the league and cup double in 2004 and qualification six times for the Champions League.

The current season has gone less well, but five games without defeat have lifted the side to 13th in the table, six points off the relegation zone.

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