Hertha Berlin team manager Michael Preetz has confirmed that veteran coach Otto Rehhagel, above, is poised to join the struggling Bundesliga side.

Preetz says the 73-year-old Rehhagel is expected to take over next week. Hertha fired Michael Skibbe one week ago after just five games in charge, all defeats. Preetz says Rehhagel "has promised to help us" and will work together with interim coaches Rene Tretschok and Ante Covic.

Hertha is two points clear of the relegation zone in 15th place, having returned to the Bundesliga this season after dropping to the second division for a year.

Skibbe had been brought in to replace Markus Babbel, who led to team to promotion but was sacked in December after a dispute with Preetz.

Rehhagel led Greece to the European Championship title in 2004, while he also coached Bayern Munich, Kaiserslautern and Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.

He hasn’t worked since resigning as Greek coach in 2010. His last stint in the Bundesliga ended in 2000 with Kaiserslautern, which he sensationally coached to the title in 1998 having led the side to promotion the year before.

“Simply fantastic,” said Babbel, now with Hoffenheim, after being told Rehhagel would be taking over his former club. “I look forward to seeing him again.”