LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) - Bayer Leverkusen has hired Roger Schmidt as the coach for next season.
Leverkusen said on Friday it signed Schmidt on a two-year contract.
He guided Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian championship this season.
Eintracht Frankfurt also had been seeking to sign Schmidt, who previously had been in charge of German second-division side Paderborn.
Leverkusen interim coach Sascha Lewandowski will remain in charge for the final three Bundesliga matches of the season. Leverkusen fired Sami Hyypia three weeks ago.
Schmidt used an opt-out clause in his contract with Salzburg, which will receive 1.5 million euros ($2 million) in compensation from Leverkusen.
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