Report details tension between Köln star Said El Mala and coach Lukas Kwasniok

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·11 February 2026

Report details tension between Köln star Said El Mala and coach Lukas Kwasniok

Rising 1. FC Köln star Said El Mala and his coach, Lukas Kwasniok, are not on the best of terms, according to Sport Bild.

The report claims the 19-year-old recently informed club bosses about the strained relationship when he told them he could envision a summer move to Brighton & Hove Albion.

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A number of minor issues are said to have contributed to the tension, including public comments, misunderstood jokes and El Mala’s feeling that he has not been given enough starts.

Despite his frustration, the young attacker reportedly accepts the coach’s decisions, as he does not want to cause unrest within the team.

El Mala has started nine of Köln’s 21 Bundesliga matches so far this season.