Berlin, Jan 23 (IANS): Hamburg have appointed Bernd Hollerbach as their new head coach, the struggling Bundesliga football club has said.

One day after the dismissal of Markus Gisdol, Hamburg on Monday completed the deal with former Hamburg player and Felix Magath assistant Bernd Hollerbach, who has penned a contract until June 2019, reports Xinhua news agency.

The 38-year-old coach led the first training session on Monday afternoon before he was officially introduced.

"Bernd Hollerbach has managed, despite modest means, to promote with Wuerzburg twice. He has the right mix of authority and warmth," Hamburg's sporting director Jens Todt said.

Hollerbach played from 1996 until 2004 for the "HSV" and marked four goals in overall 197 appearances. After his spell at Hamburg, he hung up his boots and opted for a job as a coach.

"My goal is to act with my team on the pitch and not just react. It is important to stage a well-positioned defence and to make sure that the opponents can't score easy goals. We will do everything to keep the top flight status," Hollerbach said.

Hamburg currently sit on the 17th position after suffering four consecutive defeats. They encounter fourth placed Leipzig on Saturday.