1. FC Köln have confirmed that Peter Stöger extended his current deal at the RheinEnergieStadion through to 2020. It was due to expire in 2017. Stöger's assistant coach, Manfred Schmid has also been given the same deal.
The 49-year-old manager has been in charge since June 2013, when the Westfalen outfit picked him up from Austria Wien.
He won an Austrian Bundesliga title in his one season at the capital club and quickly transferred that success to the Cathedral city.
Stöger brought the Billy Goats back into the Bundesliga at the first time of asking, streaking away to claim the 2. Bundesliga crown.
Back to the Bundesliga
Since then it has been all about bringing back stability to Köln, who had been bobbing up and down between the two divisions in recent years.
Stöger did that and more in his first season. The Austrian masterminded the club to a comfortable 12th place finish, in which relegation was never really a worry.
This year has continued to build upon that success as they currently lie 9th in the table, a mere three points from an unlikely European berth.
Stöger excited to have extended
“It is all good, and that is why I did not have to think about it long," said Stöger. He admitted he is "feeling very well at this great club and tremendous city".
The Austrian explained how he values his relationships with those at the club, holding them in "high regard". That went for the board, executives, the team and the entire staff.
Stöger, talking to the club website, added: “We want to collectively continue on this path that we have begun. I am thankful for the confidence shown in me."
He concluded by saying, "That is an extra stimulus for the daily work at FC, which brings me a lot of joy.”