BERLIN, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- German coach Reinhold Fanz is to coach Cuba's national football team until 2010, the German football federation DFB said on Thursday.

    "Cuba may not be a big name in world football but we are placed71st in the FIFA world rankings," said the 54-year-old Fanz, who last coached German lower-league side Bonner SC, in a DFB press release.

    Fanz's main task is the qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup which starts in June. Cuba's only World Cup participation came in 1938.

    "I am looking forward to this interesting task. The aim is of course qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa," he said.

    Fanz said that "the potential is there" for good results and that he will take the team on training camps in Austria and Germany in summer so that "the boys learn something in Europe."

    Fanz said he will shuttle between Germany and Cuba and that the current coaching staff will all remain on board to look after the team in his absence.