Thomas Schaaf has signed a two-year contract with Breman

Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf has signed a two-year contract extension with the Bundesliga high-fliers.

The new deal will tie the 48-year-old to the club until 2012 and comes after Bremen have emerged as genuine title contenders this season, lying four points off leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Schaaf's side have also qualified for the knock-out phase of the Europa League after finishing top of Group L.

Last term, Bremen won the DFB Pokal and reached the Uefa Cup final, where they lost to Shakhtar Donetsk.