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Stuttgart lift "interim" tag off coach Babbel
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-19 13:43
STUTTGART - Stuttgart interim coach Markus Babbel will stay to the end of the season.

Stuttgart's coach Markus Babbel gestures during their German first division Bundesliga soccer match against Munich in Stuttgart December 13, 2008. [Agencies]

The club announced the decision on Thursday, moments after its 3-0 win over Standard Liege advanced Stuttgart to the UEFA Cup knockout stage.

"The team is playing very well right now and we really want that continuity over the rest of the season," Stuttgart sports director Horst Heldt said.

Former Germany international star Babbel was brought in as Stuttgart coach in late November after the 2007 Bundesliga champion fired coach Armin Veh.

Babbel, who does not have a coaching license, was hired on an interim basis but Stuttgart has not lost in his five matches in charge. They include a UEFA Cup draw at Sampdoria, Bundesliga wins against Schalke and at Energie Cottbus, a 2-2 draw against Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich, and Thursday's win.

Stuttgart has improved to 10th place in the Bundesliga standings with 25 points _ seven points from a 2009-10 UEFA Cup spot going into the winter break.

Sami Khedira, who scored against Standard, welcomed Babbel being retained.

"It's extremely important for us," he said. "You have seen over the past couple of weeks that we are playing with more confidence. And it's good that he is staying here."