Former US national team defender Steve Cherundolo has a new job in a familiar setting.

On Monday, Bundesliga side Hannover 96 announced the firing of head coach Tayfun Korkut and the appointment of Michael Frontzeck for the remainder of the current season. In turn, the club announced that Cherundolo, an assistant coach for Hannover's reserve team, was named an assistant to the first team under Frontzeck.

It may be a new role for Cherundolo, but he continues his association with Hannover, the only professional club he played for during his career, which lasted from 1999 until his retirement last year. Playing in 370 matches, including a record 300 Bundesliga appearances for Die Roten, the former US stalwart served as longtime captain for the club and won the 2.Bundesliga title in 2001-02.

Ironically, it's the 2.Bundesliga that Hannover are desperately hoping to avoid. They currently sit in 15th place in the top flight, just one spot above the relegation playoff slot, and are currently on a 13-game winless run in the Bundesliga with just five matches left to play.