Get Ready to Party, Cologne! Friedhelm Funkel's Back, and He's Bringing a Promotion Vibe
Cologne's Financial Crisis Finds Solution in Former Coach Friedhelm Funkel
Y'all better get your dancing shoes on, Cologne! The lovedone Friedhelm Funkel is back in town, taking over the reins for the third time, and he's got something special planned—promotion to the Bundesliga! But can he do it again? Buckle up, because we're diving into the story of this promotion specialist who's got the city buzzing!
When 1. FC Cologne hits a rough patch, help often comes from neighboring Krefeld. Promotion prodigy Friedhelm Funkel has lost none of his git-'er-done charisma, even in his golden years. With his calming presence, positive vibes, and team building, the 71-year-old feels right at home in Cologne-Sülz.
"It's like coming home," Funkel said after taking the reins on Monday—his third stint with the FC since 2002. Around 500 fans gathered for his trainer comeback at the Geißbockheim, eager to see him work his magic before his first game against 1. FC Nuremberg (6:18 PM/Sky and live ticker at ntv.de).
The mission may be less daunting than four years ago, when the Cologne crisis club was teetering on the brink of the 2nd league. Back then, Funkel managed to reach the relegation place 16 in just six games and secure the club's survival in two further games against Holstein Kiel (0:1, 5:1). "That was tough," the then 67-year-old later admitted.
Past Not On Funkel's Mind
After the surprising departure of trainer Gerhard Struber and sports director Christian Keller following the disappointing 1:1 against relegated Jahn Regensburg, all Funkel has to do is secure the second place in the remaining two games to ensure the return of 1. FC Cologne to the Bundesliga. For Funkel, it would be his seventh promotion.
"The team is in second place. That means they've achieved overwhelmingly positive results. Otherwise, they wouldn't still be in the running. And that's what needs to be conveyed to the team again," explained the interim head coach.
The grizzled veteran on the sideline has the perfect recipe for this. He avoids critically analyzing past games. "That's not a topic. The past doesn't interest me," said Funkel, who's had numerous heart-to-hearts with the players since the beginning of the week. "I believe that a good relationship of trust has grown in the short term," the Cologne coach concluded. Funkel believes in his mission. "I want to see simple and clear football."
A Whirlwind End to the Season
This time around, a short-term extension of Funkel's contract could still be in the works. If the Cologne team ends up in third place, there are still the two relegation games against the Bundesliga 16th. The opponent could again be Holstein Kiel. And on the last matchday, Funkel could have a face-off with his past if he plays against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. The Palatinate team he led to the DFB-Pokal final last year and previously saved from relegation to the 2nd league with the "Red Devils".
However, Funkel has the power to save them again. If Cologne wins in Nuremberg on Friday and their competition—Paderborn or Elversberg—fail to win, 1. FC Cologne will be promoted. Then they might just build a statue of Funkel in the Müngersdorf sports park.
The Shuffle May be Over Soon
A bankruptcy declaration by the club's management is a swift dismissal of the current sports leadership. If Struber and Keller were no longer trusted to secure promotion, this realization could've happened earlier. However, the current presidency is only active until September, after which a new sports director may be in office, and a new coach is definitely on the horizon. The list of possible candidates is long. Funkel's name isn't likely to be on it. Only if everything goes well will 1. FC Cologne find themselves in a new league.
- Friedhelm Funkel
- 1. FC Cologne
- 2. Bundesliga
Enrichment Data:- Promotion Chances: 1. FC Cologne requires either a win in their next game and Paderborn or Elversberg to lose, or a draw and losses from both Elversberg and Magdeburg to secure second place and an automatic promotion to the Bundesliga ([Reference 2][Reference 3]).- Future Leadership: The current presidential term ends in September, followed by the possibility of a new sports director and coach being brought in (no further details provided). Funkel's name isn't expected to be on the list of candidates (no further details provided) ([Reference 1]).
The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, amidst the promotion vibe surrounding 1. FC Cologne's Football Club under the guidance of renowned sports figure, Friedhelm Funkel. Despite his team's disappointing draw against relegated Jahn Regensburg, Funkel has saved Cologne from a potentially dangerous position in the 2. Bundesliga, aiming to secure the second-place spot in the remaining two games to ensure the football club's return to Bundesliga. In the past, Funkel has displayed his ability to pull off such feats, saving the Cologne club from the brink of relegation to the 2nd league during his previous stint. Therefore, it is possible that a statue might be built in the Müngersdorf sports park in Funkel's honor if Cologne wins their next game and their competition fails to win, securing them promotion to the Bundesliga. However, the future leadership of the club is uncertain, with the current presidential term ending in September and a new sports director and coach likely to be brought in, with Funkel's name not expected to be on the list of candidates.
