Berlin, Dec 21 (IANS): Stefan Ruthenbeck has been promoted as Cologne's head coach until the end of the season, the Bundesliga side confirmed in a statement.

The interim coach will be the successor of former coach Peter Stoeger after signing a contract until June 2018, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Stefan Ruthenbeck and his team have convinced me with their work. They prepare the team conscientiously. Hence, they enjoy my trust and that is why we decided to continue working with this coaching team," Cologne's sporting director Armin Veh said.

Ruthenbeck had been in charge of the Cologne youth teams but after the dismissal of Peter Stoeger earlier this month he was assigned as an interim coach of the first team.

After a positive development of the last-placed club, and the first win of the season, the club's officials decided to promote Ruthenbeck and give him a contract until the end of the season.

"The FC is my club. It is a great honour for me as a native of Cologne to obtain the confidence as a head coach. Together with my team I will do everything possible to lead the team through the second half of the season and to secure the top flight status," Ruthenbeck said.

Cologne are currently last in the Bundesliga standings with only six points from 17 matches. To make matters worse, the "Billy Goats" have an eleven-point gap to safety.