Crisis club Cologne announced Markus Gisdol as their new coach on Monday, as the Bundesliga outfit bid to stave off a second relegation in three years.

Gisdol, 50, replaces former coach Achim Beierlorzer, who was sacked earlier this month after recording just two wins from the first 12 games of the season.

The miserable start has left three-time German champions Cologne second from bottom, having been promoted as second division champions last season.

"Cologne is a big name in German football. The situation is not easy but I know about challenges like this and I am convinced we can overcome them," said Gisdol.

Gisdol, who has been out of work since early 2018, has experience of Bundesliga relegation fights, having previously led Hoffenheim and Hamburg to survival in 2013 and 2017.

He will be joined by new sporting director Horst Heldt, a former Cologne player who was also announced Monday.

Following three sackings this month, the managerial merry-go-round continues apace in the Bundesliga.

On Monday, just nine days after being dismissed by Cologne, Beierlorzer was named new coach at relegation rivals Mainz 05.