Cologne have appointed Zvonimir Soldo as their new coach, the Bundesliga club announced today.

The 41-year-old succeeds Christoph Daum, who left the club last week after just over two years in charge, bringing an end to Cologne's search for a new coach and ensuring every Bundesliga club now has a man in charge for next season.

For Soldo, this will be only his second job as a coach after hanging up his boots following 11 years and 301 appearances with Stuttgart in 2007.

He led Dinamo Zagreb to the Croatian title in 2008, but resigned immediately afterwards and has been out of work since, waiting for this opportunity to return to Germany.

Cologne have now offered him that chance to lead them into their second year in the top flight next season.

Soldo will count on the experience of former Bayern Munich assistant coach Michael Henke, who will work alongside him.

Both have signed two-year contracts and will begin their work on 1 July in preparation for the 2009/10 season.