Friedhelm Funkel Back at FC Köln: The dream of climbing lives!

Friedhelm Funkel Back at FC Köln: The dream of climbing lives!

On Monday, May 5, 2025, Friedhelm Funkel was officially presented as the new coach of 1. FC Köln. The presentation took place in the RheinEnergiestadion and attracted numerous media representatives. Funkel, who takes a remarkable return to the FC's sidelines at the age of 71, was pleased with his return to the club that he had already trained twice, and emphasized: "It feels good to be back at FC".

The decision for Funkel was made after the dismissal of head coach Gerhard Struber, who was implemented after a disappointing draw against Jahn Regensburg. In the press conference, FC President Werner Wolf described the background of this decision. He emphasized that both the sporting development and the need for new impulses were decisive. In addition, the managing director Christian Keller was removed from office, and Thomas Kessler, previously head of the license player department, takes over his position.

challenges and goals

A crucial point in Funkel's speech was the emphasis on looseness and self -confidence for the team. He will lead his first training on Tuesday and plans to build trust in conversations with the players. Funkel explained that it was about finding the belief in your own strength in the remaining two games and creating the climb.

The 1st FC Köln is currently in second place in the table with two match days before the end of the season and has only one point behind the league leader Hamburger SV. At the same time, the team has a comfortable lead of three points on SV Elversberg, which currently occupies third place and thus the relegation place. Funkel will sit on the bench in the upcoming games against 1. FC Nürnberg and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

Friedhelm Funkel's trainer experience

Funkel looks back on a remarkable coaching career in which he rose to the Bundesliga a total of six times, which is a record. Most recently, in 2021 he was responsible for keeping FC in the relegation against Kiel in the first division. This experience now benefits him because he should lead the team to the top in the decisive phase of the season. His two previous term at FC lasted from February 2002 to October 2003 and from April 2021 to June 2021.

Wolf, who described both Kessler and Funkel as the "absolute FC connoisseur", sees a step in the decision for Funkel to successfully look after the club in the next phase of the season. It remains to be seen whether the changes will be fruitful, but the anticipation for the remaining games and the challenge of securing the climb is noticeable.