Hyypia: named Leverkusen boss

Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has been named as the permanent manager of German side Bayer Leverkusen. The Finn was appointed caretaker boss of the Bundesliga club in early April and secured four wins and two draws in his six games in charge. Now Hyypia, along with assistant Sascha Lewandowski, has signed a three-year deal with Leverkusen. "Although we did not know each other beforehand and only had little time to develop a concept, the last weeks for Sascha, the club and I were successful," said the Reds legend. "For Bayer to now give us a chance to carry on together is a great show of faith. "We are convinced that, with this team and with these colleagues, we will be able to play a good role both at home and abroad in future.'' Leverkusen's sporting director Rudi Voller added: "Sami has played at the highest level in Europe for 10 years and, in his last two years as a player with Leverkusen, he left a very good impression. "He was made to coach a team and he will certainly take Bayer forwards in his new role together with Sascha.'' Hyypia made 464 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 35 goals, during his 10-year stay at Anfield between 1999 and 2009.