Werder Bremen have announced the appointment of Robin Dutt as the club's new manager on a three-year contract.

Dutt replaces Thomas Schaff at Bremen after the experienced coach ended a 14-year association with the club by mutual consent last week.

The 48-year-old former Bayer Leverkusen boss has left his post as sporting director of the German Football Association to take charge at the Weserstadion and thanked the DFB for agreeing to terminate his contract.

He told the club's official website: "I would first like to express particular thanks to the DFB. On the one hand for the way in which they accommodated my wishes, and on the other hand for the respect I received from my peers and colleagues.

"I am really looking forward to taking my place on the bench again.

"Werder Bremen are a great club and it's a very attractive challenge which I am going to put everything into."

Bremen finished the Bundesliga campaign three points from the drop zone in 14th place, their worst league finish since 1999.