Brighton and Hove Albion have named Jens Scheuer as the new women's head coach on a three-and-a-half year contract.
The German, 44, takes charge of the Seagulls until 2026, subject to granting of a work permit. His arrival brings to an end Brighton's permanent search for a successor since Hope Powell's departure back in late October, following an 8-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Powell's former assistant Amy Merricks took charge in the interim period, picking up four points, with the Seagulls now seven clear of bottom of the table Leciester. Scheuer was previously coach at both SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich, winning the German title with the latter in 2021.
Scheuer left Bayern after a second-place finish in the Frauen-Bundesliga the following season, when they finished four points behind Wolfsburg.
A Brighton statement read: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jens Scheuer as our new women’s first-team head coach on a three-and-a-half-year contract, subject to the granting of a work permit.
"Jens brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the women’s game having previously coached FC Bayern Munich Frauen and SC Freiburg Frauen in the women’s Bundesliga."
Scheuer's first game in charge is away to WSL strugglers Leicester, who are yet to earn a point in the league this season, on January 15. They then face West Ham only three days later in the League Cup before hosting title challenging Arsenal. He arrives with the side 11th in the table, having taken seven points from eight games.
However, they are only five points off Everton in sixth position with a game in hand on those directly above them.
Scheuer said: "It’s a great feeling, I’m very excited to work for the team and the club. The facilities are the best I have ever seen. I had good talks with [technical director] David Weir.
"The first time we spoke it was clear for me that I wanted to come here and build a team which can grow and move up the table. I’m very excited for the future and can’t wait to get started."
"I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Jens as our new head coach of the women’s team," added Brighton Women's Chair Michelle Walder. "He has great experience at the very top level of women’s football in Europe: winning the Bundesliga in 2021 at Bayern Munich.
"He consistently finished in the top two during his three seasons there and guided them to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2021.
"Jens was our number one target from the start, and the process was similar to the one we recently undertook when appointing Roberto De Zerbi as men’s head coach."
Walder was also quick to praise Merricks who had steadied the ship in recent months since Powell's departure after five years at the club.
“The excellent results during Amy Merricks’s time as interim coach," she added. "and having the winter break, took some of the time pressure off us, and allowed us to go through a thorough process which reaffirmed Jens as our first choice."
Technical director David Weir added, “Jens has a brilliant footballing CV and was the standout candidate. His record at Bayern Munich speaks for itself, but having met with him it’s clear his ambition and vision matches ours and we are excited to start working with him."
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