Former Freiburg captain Julian Schuster is reportedly set to be unveiled this week as head coach of the Bundesliga club from summer onwards in succession of Christian Streich.
The Bild paper and Kicker sports magazine said that the announcement could come as early as Thursday or Friday.
Streich, 58, said on Monday that he was stepping down at the end of the season after more than 12 years in charge, and almost three decades at the club overall.
Midfielder Schuster, 38, played under Streich during his Freiburg term from 2008 until the end of his career in 2018 and is now part of their academy coaching staff, with close links to the first team.
He also has the necessary coaching licence to take charge of the Bundesliga side.
Freiburg said on Monday they would announce the new coach "shortly."
Schuster is held in high esteem in Freiburg, with former striker Nils Petersen telling dpa on Tuesday that "Julian Schuster was already as a player the biggest extension of a coach on the pitch I have ever seen.
"It doesn't hurt to have already been part of this special club. The club stands for certain values, for a certain humility. And ultimately also for sporting quality. If a person in your own organisation embodies all of that, you don't have to think too long."
