2. Bundesliga: Funkel's Redemption - Hands On, Promotion Secured (Hopefully)
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Funkel's Endeavor: Grasp and Rise Up - Funkel's objective: to lift their hands high and ascend
When 1. FC Cologne stands on the brink of ruin, they usually find a lifeline 70 kilometers north in Krefeld. Promotion guru Friedhelm Funkel hasn't lost his Midas touch as a coach, even at his advanced age. His approach: dive in, listen, spread positivity, foster camaraderie - it's been working wonders for the 71-year-old in Cologne-Sülz.
"It's like returning to my old stomping grounds," Funkel stated after assuming his position on Monday - his third stint with the FC since 2002. Nearly 500 fans welcomed his return for his first game on Friday evening against 1. FC Nuremberg (6:30 PM/Sky).
Funkel has already orchestrated six promotions
The mission is simpler and shorter than it was four years ago, when Cologne was on the verge of relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. Following the surprising ousting of coach Gerhard Struber and sports director Christian Keller after the disappointing 1:1 draw against relegated Jahn Regensburg, Funkel only needs to maintain second place in the remaining two games to guarantee 1. FC Cologne's return to the Bundesliga. For Funkel, it would be his seventh promotion.
"The team is in second place, which signifies mostly positive results. Otherwise, they wouldn't still be in the running," Funkel observed as interim head coach.
The veteran has a time-tested formula for success on the bench. He's not interested in post-mortems of past games. "That's not a concern. The past doesn't interest me," Funkel noted, having had numerous chats with the players since the beginning of the week. "I believe a solid bond of trust has developed in the short period we've collaborated," the Cologne coach observed.
Relegation is still a lingering possibility
Funkel is optimistic about his mission. "I want to see straightforward, fluent football," he said. Four years ago, he managed to reach the relegation playoff spot in six games and secure the club's survival in two further games against Holstein Kiel (0:1, 5:1). "That was a challenge," the then 67-year-old later admitted.
This time, relegation looms heavy once again. Funkel's engagement could be extended if Cologne finishes in third place. The relegation playoff games would then ensue, with the opponent possibly being Holstein Kiel again. And even on the final day, Funkel may be haunted by his past when he takes on 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He steered the Palatinate team to the DFB-Pokal final last year and previously secured their survival in the 2. Bundesliga with the "Red Devils."
Ideally, promotion will be sealed by the weekend
However, Funkel could also be the hero for just one game. If the team emerges victorious in Nuremberg on Friday and the competition from Paderborn doesn't, 1. FC Cologne will be promoted. Then, perhaps, they'll erect a statue of Funkel on the Jahnwiesen in the Müngersdorf sports park.
The sudden dismissal of the club's leadership is a clear indication of mismanagement. If Struber and Keller were no longer trusted with the promotion, it's possible their unsuitability should have been evident earlier.
The current board is only active until September, after which a new sports director may emerge, and a new coach is certain. The list of candidates is extensive. Funkel's name isn't likely to crop up among them. Only if everything goes according to plan will the FC also find themselves in a new league.
- 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. FC Kaiserslautern
- Palatinate team
- DFB-Pokal final
- Red Devils
- Mismanagement
- Bankruptcy
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment in the Community, emulating Friedhelm Funkel's successful approach in promoting 1. FC Cologne from the brink of bankruptcy.
- Despite his advanced age, Friedhelm Funkel, dubbed the promotions guru, has been instrumental in 1. FC Cologne's fight to secure promotion, much like his 70-kilometer journey from Krefeld to Cologne-Sülz.
- With six promotions under his belt, Friedhelm Funkel aims to add another feather to his cap by securing 1. FC Cologne's return to the Bundesliga, a mission that has become remarkably simpler compared to his stint four years ago.
- In his third stint with 1. FC Cologne since 2002, Friedhelm Funkel's optimism for a solid bond of trust and fluent football is palpable, despite possible relegation playoffs against familiar foes like Holstein Kiel.
- If 1. FC Cologne emerges victorious in their game against 1. FC Nuremberg, their promotion could be sealed, potentially leading to the erection of a statue in honor of Friedhelm Funkel, much like the statues of the club's footballing legends.
