Few points, little money and a very limited scope for action: 1. FC Köln, which is threatened with relegation, faces a tricky search for a new coach. In view of the threatening situation with the transfer ban imposed by the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the next two transfer periods, Steffen Baumgart’s successor faces a very demanding task.
The gloomy faces of the club bosses the day after the Baumgart exit and the CAS verdict reflected the mood. “That was a black Thursday, that was a difficult day,” admitted commercial director Philipp Türoff, “but in our view it is completely inappropriate to invoke doom now.” Sports director Christian Keller described the scenario with similarly emotional words: “I read a headline. It said ‘Apocalypse at FC’. Maybe it’s day one at FC. If we see this as an opportunity to take steps forward, it can be successful.”
After only two wins in 16 games, the team is in a direct relegation zone, three points behind the saver 15th place. In addition, the squad cannot be strengthened during the winter break or next summer following the CAS ruling. The long shadow of the football teacher Baumgart, who is popular with FC fans, makes it even more difficult for his successor to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga for the seventh time. Sports director Keller described the requirements profile on Friday. Accordingly, the new coach’s playing philosophy should be similar to that of the old coach.
Sparkle, Glorious or Rice?
Nobody commented on names that had already been traded, such as Thomas Reis, Heiko Herrlich or football pensioner Friedhelm Funkel. Keller also left it open whether it would be an internal or external solution. However, the sports director rejected allegations that he was only starting the search now: “Of course we have a shadow squad for coaches. But it is our basic belief not to start looking for potential successors behind employees’ backs.”
Keller is not worried that no football teacher would dare to take on the delicate mission: “We were offered coaches like a dime a dozen.” Unlike Baumgart, Keller, who has also come under criticism, will remain in office for the time being. President Werner Wolf expressed his confidence in him: “We sit together every two weeks. There you can get an idea of how the management works. And this picture is definitely positive.”
Daniel Theweleit, Cologne Published/Updated: Recommendations: 13 Published/Updated: Daniel Theweleit, Cologne Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 14
The new coach has to live with the existing squad until January 2025. According to Türoff, it seems unlikely that Cologne will appeal against the CAS ruling: “As of now, there is a relatively low probability of success. We don’t expect to go down that path.”
