Jens Todt has been named sporting director of embattled Bundesliga club Hamburg.
Todt, a former German international, has joined Hamburg on a two-year contract from second division side Karlsruher, where he occupied the same role.
During a prior spell at the Volksparkstadion, the 47-year-old worked within the club's youth system.
Todt has flown out to Dubai to join the squad at their mid-season training camp.
"It is something special for me to take responsibility at HSV. I am really looking forward to this challenging task and I am ready to make my contribution," Todt said in a statement.
Hamburg sit in the relegation play-off spot with their record of being the only team to have played in every Bundesliga season under threat.
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