Promoted Rot-Weiss Essen goes into the 3rd division with Christoph Dabrowski as coach.
The ex-professional, who led the second division team Hannover 96 to stay up in the league last season, will receive a contract on Hafenstrasse until 2024.
“He is characterized by diligence and will, and he has already proven that he can develop young players,” said sporting director Jörn Nowak.
“I want to play emotional, active and aggressive football with my team and inspire the fans,” said the new coach, who played for Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, Hanover and VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga.
RWE parted ways with coach Christian Neidhart before the end of the season in the regional league. Sports director Nowak, as team boss, led the German champions from 1955 back to professional football after 15 years.