MICHAEL SKIBBE has been named as the new coach of Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the permanent successor to Klaus Augenthaler, who was sacked three weeks ago.

Jens Jeremies is set to be given the job of trying to fill the chasm left in the Germany side by Michael Ballack’s suspension in Sunday’s World Cup final against Brazil.

Germany's assistant coach Michael Skibbe has said that Dietmar Hamann is doubtful for the semi-final against South Korea.

By Peter Gibson

German striker Miroslav Klose has missed his second straight day of training with a bruised knee.