The Swiss Marc Schneider is surprisingly the new coach of Bundesliga relegated SpVgg Greuther Fürth.

As the Franconians announced on Tuesday, the 41-year-old has signed a two-year contract.

Schneider most recently worked for the Belgian club Waasland-Beveren.

He succeeds Stefan Leitl, who is moving to future second division rivals Hannover 96.

"The philosophy and approach that Marc presented to us in the talks is in line with what we envision for the game association.

We were also on the same wavelength as people and we are happy that in Marc we have found a trainer who wants to shape a successful future with us," explained managing director Rachid Azzouzi.

Leitl took over from Fürth in February 2019 in the second Bundesliga.

Last season he sensationally led the team to their second promotion to the Bundesliga in the club's history.

After the loss of important professionals like Anton Stach (FSV Mainz 05) and David Raum (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) last summer, a bad first series followed with just one point from the first 14 games.

Leitl away with an opt-out clause

However, the club held on to Leitl – he was then able to stabilize the Franks.

Nevertheless, the Fürth climbed from bottom of the table with only 18 points.

At the end of April, Leitl announced his departure, which was made possible by an exit clause in his contract, which ran until the summer of 2023.

He wanted to pave the way "for new energy, for a new coach, for a fresh start," the 44-year-old explained.

A rebuild with limited financial resources in Fürth was no longer an option for him.

In the last game of the season at FC Augsburg (1:2) on May 14, Leitl was missing on the sidelines due to corona disease.

A lot of work awaits his successor Schneider.

Regular staff such as Maximilian Bauer (FC Augsburg), Paul Seguin (1. FC Union Berlin) and Nick Viergever (FC Utrecht) are leaving the club.

With a renewed squad, the Fürthers want to play at the top in 2022/23.

“During the talks, it quickly became clear to me that Fürth and I would fit together.

The values ​​of the club, the approach - realistic but ambitious - and the requirements at Kleeblatt appeal to me immensely.

I'm happy about the trust and from now on I'll do everything to ensure that we have a very good time," said Schneider, who coached FC Thun in Switzerland for three years.