Hecking to stay as Bochum coach if club beat drop

Veteran coach Dieter Hecking will remain in his post at Bundesliga strugglers Bochum if they avoid relegation, the club said in a statement on Thursday.

The 60-year-old's two-year contract extension to 2027 will take effect if Bochum, currently 16th, stay in the league next season.

"We're on the right track but we're not there yet. My focus is on staying in the league... I'm convinced we can do it," Hecking said.

Hecking, who guided Wolfsburg to German Cup success in 2015, has turned Bochum's fortunes around since taking over in November.

Bochum sit in the relegation play-off position with 20 points, 19 of them accrued since Hecking took over.

Under Hecking, Bochum have beaten league leaders Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund while holding defending champions Bayer Leverkusen to a draw.