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FORMER LIVERPOOL FC defender Sami Hyypia has been confirmed as the new permanent manager of German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Finn, who spent ten years at Anfield between 1999 and 2009, had been caretaker boss of the Bundesliga outfit, having replaced the sacked Robin Dutt at the beginning of April.

And having presided over an unbeaten end to the season – his six games in charge had brought four wins and two draws, and secured a Europa League qualification spot – the 38-year-old has, together with assistant Sascha Lewandowski, been handed a three-year deal at the BayArena.

Hyypia, who made a total of 464 appearances in his decade at Anfield, and had since spent two years with Bayer as a player, said: “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.

"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.''

Former German international Rudi Voller, the club's sporting director, 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.''

* Ex Liverpool FC star Sami Hyypia says he’ll always be a Reds fan

* TAKE a look at Sami Hyypia's LFC career in pictures below