Funkel's Endeavor: Gain possession of and attain elevation - Funkel's ambition: lifting hands, upward ascent
Hey there! Let's talk about Bundesliga and the man on a mission, Friedhelm Funkel. Known as the promotions specialist, this 71-year-old veteran hasn't lost his touch, especially when it comes to 1. FC Köln.
Funkel has already mastered the art of promotion, with a whopping six promotions under his belt. And, guess what? He's not done yet. After the unexpected dismissal of former coach Gerhard Struber and sports director Christian Keller, Funkel's mission is clear: seal the promotion and bring 1. FC Köln back to the Bundesliga.
Kölner fans were ecstatic to see Funkel return for his third stint with the team. "It's like coming home," he said after taking office, greeting around 500 fans personally at the Geißbockheim ahead of his first game against 1. FC Nürnberg.
But, hold on! Relegation is still a possibility. The team needs to secure second place in the remaining two games to ensure the promotion. Easy peasy, right? Well, not exactly. Four years ago, during the Cologne crisis when the club was already on the brink of the 2. Bundesliga, Funkel managed to pull off a miracle. He turned that relegation place 16 into a secure position in the Bundesliga in two further games against Holstein Kiel.
And if they make it this time around, don't be surprised if Funkel gets his own statue at the Jahnwiesen in Müngersdorf sports park. But, the promotion may not be confidential to just one game. If the team wins in Nuremberg on Friday and the competition from Paderborn and others slips up, 1. FC Köln will be promoted.
However, Funkel isn't just a coach; he's a savior. If Cologne finishes third, there are still the two relegation games against the Bundesliga 16th. The opponent could be none other than Holstein Kiel. And, even on the last matchday, Funkel might face a familiar challenge when he plays against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, a team he led into the DFB-Pokal final last year.
But, don't forget, Funkel's temporary appointment is a clear bankruptcy declaration for the current top management. If Struber and Keller were no longer trusted with the promotion, perhaps this insight could have been gained earlier.
Regardless, the future is bright for 1. FC Köln. With a legendary coach like Funkel at the helm, the team has a solid chance of securing promotion and a return to the Bundesliga. So, buckle up! It's going to be an exciting ride!
- Friedhelm Funkel
- 1. FC Cologne
- Cologne
- Football Bundesliga
- Krefeld
- Promotion
- Gerhard Struber
- Christian Keller
- Holstein Kiel
- 1. FC Nuremberg
- Nuremberg
- Sky
- Sports
- Jahn Regensburg
[1] The Guardian: Koln name caretaker manager Friedhelm Funkel to replace Slaven Bilic[2] BBC Sport: Koln appoint interim coach Friedhelm Funkel[3] Sports Mole: Cologne appoint Friedhelm Funkel on two-year deal
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation during Friedhelm Funkel's mission to promote football in 1. FC Cologne.
- Funkel's promotion journey for 1. FC Cologne could rival his personal kilometer count if the team needs to travel to and from possible relegation or promotion matchdays.
- The disappointment of missing out on promotion could be dampened if sports fans in Krefeld are able to enjoy fostering their love for football by having Funkel recognized with a statue at the Jahnwiesen in Müngersdorf sports park.
- Given Funkel's impressive track record of promoting 1. FC Cologne to the Bundesliga and his recent return as a caretaker coach, it is no surprise that the team's performance on matchdays against rivals, such as 1. FC Nuremberg, will be closely watched by broadcast networks like Sky Sports.
