Bruchhagen, 68, is expected to start work on Wednesday and one of his first tasks will be to appoint a sporting director to work with coach Markus Gisdol.

Bruchhagen has been given a contract for 30 months, according to German media reports.

He is returning to the club where he was also chairman between 1992 and 1995. He stepped down at Frankfurt at the end of last season after 13 years as chairman.

Woeful start

Former Hamburg player Beiersdorfer, who has been chairman since July 2014, has paid the price for a woeful start to the season, with the club in serious relegation danger.

The former European champions are third from last in the Bundesliga but have won their last two games and are unbeaten in four.

idr/(DPA)