Is there a big turnaround?: Friedhelm Funkel surprises with future plan after Cologne's promotion

Is a major turnaround coming? Friedhelm Funkel surprises with future plan after Cologne's promotion. 19.05.2025, 06:03

Coach Friedhelm Funkel can imagine staying at 1. FC Köln. "I feel strong enough, I'm fit, and I have an incredibly good coaching staff. I'm not ruling it out for myself. There's nothing against it," says the 71-year-old.

Friedhelm Funkel's hair hadn't yet completely dried from the Kölsch beer when the temporary "savior" put himself forward as a permanent solution at 1. FC Köln. "I'm open to anything," said the 71-year-old, referring to the vacant coaching position at the second-division champions starting this summer. "I feel strong enough, I'm fit, and I have an incredibly good coaching staff. There's nothing against it." However, this was "not my decision."

His fellow coach, Torsten Lieberknecht, made the most emphatic plea. "He's in top shape, there's not a gram of fat on him, he can party like a beast. Therefore, I can only advise 1. FC Köln: Open the coffers and keep him here in Cologne," said the 1. FC Kaiserslautern coach.

Funkel, who had secured his record-breaking seventh promotion as coach with a 4-0 (2-0) win against the Red Devils, was hired by FC Bayern to help them achieve promotion again. As the successor to the sacked Gerhard Struber, Funkel secured two wins from two matches.

Dignified thanks to predecessor Struber

The two weeks in his third term in charge were "incredibly enjoyable," Funkel said. "We agreed that we would sit down together after the last matchday and think about possible constellations." He dignifiedly thanked his predecessor. "I was only here for two games, which may have been quite important, but he played a larger role in our promotion," Funkel said.

Funkel's approach was well received by the team. "What Friedhelm brought to the table cannot be put into words. The calmness he exudes is simply incredible," said defender Dominique Heintz. "We wouldn't mind if he stayed for another year."

The day after the celebrations, the Geißbockheim stadium will begin planning for the upcoming return to the Bundesliga. President Werner Wolf emphasized that they intend to "work hard." In addition to Funkel, Thomas Kessler's future is also uncertain. The 39-year-old took over interim sporting responsibility following the departure of Struber and sporting director Christian Keller. "I'm ready for it," Kessler said, looking ahead to the upcoming season.