Hamburg - Bundesliga club SV Hamburg confirmed Friday it wanted to appoint Bayer Leverkusen's Bruno Labbadia as coach to succeed Dutchman Martin Jol.

A club spokesman told German Press Agency dpa it was "positive" on an agreement to bring 43-year-old Labbadia to Hamburg.

Local media reports said Friday the club was ready to announce Labbadia as new coach, however an agreement was still to be negotiated on a compensation deal.

Labbadia has another year on his contract with Leverkusen, who were beaten by Werder Bremen in the German Cup final, but reports have spoken of differences between the coach and the club management.

Hamburg have been looking for a new coach since Jol surprisingly announced on May 26 he was leaving the club for Ajax. (dpa)