Austrian coach Kurt Jara has been appointed as the new manager of struggling Kaiserslautern less than 24 hours after the dismissal of Erik Gerets.

Jara, who was sacked by Hamburg earlier in this season, makes a return to the German top-flight.

Kaiserslautern sacked Belgian manager Gerets after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by 1860 Munich left the club in 16th spot in the Bundesliga.

Gerets became the sixth Bundesliga managerial casualty this season with Ewald Lienen (Borussia Monchengladbach), Kurt Jara (SV Hamburg), Friedhelm Funkel (Cologne), Huub Stevens (Hertha Berlin) all removed from their posts. Armin Veh also stepped down from the Hansa Rostock helm.