Former Germany international of Ghanaian descent Gerald Asamoah is happy to have been named manager of Schalke 04's under-23 side.

Asamoah, who called time on his playing career last year, represented the Royal Blues between 1999 and 2010, before rejoining in 2013.

During his first stint, he netted 44 times in 279 Bundesliga appearances.

“After I finished my playing career, I completed my Sport Management studies at the Universitat St Gallen so that I had the necessary qualifications to begin my ‘second’ career," Asamoah told his club's official website.

“I am therefore really pleased to be able to work for my club and with the U23s side, who I finished my career with.

"I'm looking forward to going down a new path in my career.”

Born in Ghana, Asamoah represented Germany at international level, scoring six goals in 43 games.

He was a member of the team that reached the final of the 2002 Fifa World Cup in Korea/Japan.

“The U23s are very important to us," Schalke director of sports Christian Heidel said.

"“The U23 side is the last stage of development in our academy. We want to support the U23s more than we have in the past and I think it’s really important for me to be in regular contact with Gerald Asamoah. It’s really important to have someone who focuses solely on this team.”

“This job needs someone who fully identifies with the club and the task, therefore Gerald fits perfectly. We are really pleased that he is continuing to work at Schalke."

In the 2015-16 season, Asamoah worked as a co-coach of Schalke's under-15 side.