SINSHEIM: Hoffenheim has appointed Julian Nagelsmann as coach one day after Huub Stevens stepped down for health reasons.

The relegation-threatened Bundesliga club says Nagelsmann, the former under-19s coach, was to take over next season but will take charge with immediate effect following "intensive talks" between the parties.

The 28-year-old is getting a deal through June 2019.

Hoffenheim CEO Peter Goerlich says "we have a duty of care to the club and of course to the people involved. Together with Julian we already went through all the risks involved last autumn and we've now decided to start our joint course earlier."

Hoffenheim is five points off the relegation-playoff place and seven points from safety after 20 rounds of the Bundesliga.

The 62-year-old Stevens resigned Wednesday due to cardiac arrhythmia (heart rhythm irregularities