Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann, the youngest manager in the Bundesliga, has been named the German football federation's coach of the year for 2016.

The 29-year-old Nagelsmann was honoured in particular for his work with youth players as he saved Hoffenheim from relegation last season.

Under Nagelsmann this season, Hoffenheim are fourth in the Bundesliga, which would be enough to secure a play-off for the Champions League if they can remain there until the end of the season.

Julian Nagelsmann, the youngest manager in Bundesliga has been named coach of the year

Nagelsmann's Hoffenheim squad are on course to reach the Champions League this season

After a youth career with Benuesliga clubs Augsburg and 1860 Munich, Nagelsmann retired without playing a senior game because of persistent injuries.

He became Hoffenheim manager in February of last year with the club five points adrift of even making a relegation play-off, but managed to lead them to safety, picking up 20 points from 14 games.

Nagelsmann, who has been at the club since 2010 when he started as an assistant youth coach, said he was rendered speechless by the award.

'That such an honour is given to me as a rookie nearly makes me speechless, and that happens rarely,' he said.

Federation sporting director Horst Hrubesch added that Nagelsmann 'is a great example of how many talented coaches we have in Germany.'