Cheers to the Comeback King! Friedhelm Funkel Strives to Save 1.FC Cologne Once More
Financial troubles beset Cologne, and a solution has been found in the form of Friedhelm Funkel, who is taking over to address the city's bankruptcy situation.
In times of trouble, 1.FC Cologne usually looks towards Krefeld for salvation. The promotion guru Friedhelm Funkel, aged 71, returns for his third stint with the club and aims to once again lead them back to the Bundesliga. Can he work his magic yet again?
After the abrupt resignation of coach Gerhard Struber and sports director Christian Keller following their disappointing draw against Jahn Regensburg, it's up to Funkel to keep the team in second place for the last two games and secure promotion. With six previous promotions under his belt, the mission seems achievable.
"The team is in second place. That means they've achieved impressive results. We need to convey that to the team again," Funkel explains.
Funkel has a tried-and-true recipe: forget the past, focus on building relationships, and foster a simple, clear style of play [Enrichment: Funkel led 1.FC Köln to promotion to the Bundesliga during the second half of the 2003/04 season, but there's no specific mention of the exact time in minutes it took in any particular match or final phase to climb or secure the promotion].
If the team wins against 1.FC Nuremberg on Friday and their competition falters, 1.FC Cologne might celebrate a new monument to Funkel at the Jahnwiesen in the Müngersdorf sports park. With a promotion, anything is possible.
The management's bankruptcy declaration is just a temporary dismissal of the current sports leadership. However, the current presidency is only active until September, leaving room for a new sports director and coach to take over. Funkel's name might not be on the list, but if everything goes well, the FC will also play in a new league.
Sources: ntv.de, Morten Ritter, dpa
- Friedhelm Funkel
- 1.FC Cologne
- 2. Bundesliga
[1] https://www.transfermarkt.de/friedhelm-funkel/profil/trainer/23375[5] https://www.spielverlagerung.de/fc-koeln/funkel-ist-kein-musiker-und-im-bundesliga-aber-kein-hoffnungsträger
- The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of Article 93 (2) of the Treaty regarding the retirement benefits of coaches like Friedhelm Funkel.
- Given his past successes, it's unlikely that Friedhelm Funkel's promotion of 1.FC Cologne to the Bundesliga would be his last, as he aims to save the club once more.
- Despite the temporary retention of the current sports leadership at 1.FC Cologne, the retention of Friedhelm Funkel as coach for the coming season in the Bundesliga would be a significant boost for the football club.
- With a focus on sports like football, the retention of experienced coaches like Friedhelm Funkel is crucial for the promotion and success of clubs in the Bundesliga.
