Dieter Hecking has been promoted from coach to managing director for sport at relegated Bundesliga club Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg said that Hecking receives a contract until 2028 and will be responsible for the men's and women's teams as well as the club's academy.
Hecking, 61, became Wolfsburg's third coach of the season in March. He reached the relegation play-off which Wolfsburg lost against Paderborn. It was Wolfsburg's first relegation from the Bundesliga where they had played since 1997 and won the title in 2009.
"Dieter Hecking knows the second division and its demands. He has the right skills for the role of managing director for sport," supervisory board chairman Sebastian Rudolph said.
"We are delighted that Dieter Hecking is staying part of the VfL family. In Wolfsburg, he embodies team spirit and a strong sense of belonging."
Together with sporting director Pirmin Schwegler must now oversee a complete reset at the Volkswagen-owned club. Many players are leaving and a new coach is also needed, with Alexander Blessin from relegated St Pauli the frontrunner.
Hecking said that his second straight relegation, the first one last year with Bochum, is still tough to swallow.
"It will be important to foster a positive atmosphere within the club as soon as possible, so that we can tackle the challenge of the second division together with the right balance of humility, courage and conviction," Hecking said.
