LEAD: Hoffenheim turn to Babbel to reverse fortunes

Feb 10, 2012, 11:41 GMT

Sinsheim, Germany - Markus Babbel was Friday appointed coach of Hoffenheim, a day after the Bundesliga club parted company with Holger Stanislawski.

The former Germany defender, who was sacked by Hertha Berlin in December, has agreed a contract until 2014, and will be in charge for Saturday's Bundesliga match at Werder Bremen.

'I had hoped Stani (Stanislawksi) would turn things round but unfortunately it turned out differently,' Babbel said.

Babbel, 39, was dismissed by Hertha on December 18 following a rift with general manager Michael Preetz. He had led Hertha to promotion in his first season at the club last season.

He will be joined at Hoffenheim by co-trainer Rainer Widmayer, who was also his assistant at Hertha.

'For us it's a new start, we want to get the team back on track and quickly influence things so that they put in a good performance tomorrow,' Babbel said.

Babbel began his playing career at Bayern Munich and enjoyed spells at SV Hamburg, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and VfB Stuttgart.

He was co-trainer and head coach at Stuttgart until his dismissal there in December two years ago.

Hoffenheim ended Stanislawski's contract, which had more than another two years to run, following Wednesday's 1-0 quarter-final home defeat against second division Gruether Fuerth.

The team is lying eighth in the table, just five points above the danger zone, after a spell of only one victory in the Bundesliga in the last 10 games.

Club general manager Ernst Tanner said the players had lost confidence and Babbel's first task will be 'psychological.'

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