1. FC Köln consider Friedhelm Funkel return or internal promotion ahead of Lukas Kwasniok sacking | OneFootball

Sport Bild reports that relegation-threatened 1. FC Köln are currently weighing two options ahead of sacking head coach Lukas Kwasniok. Another aggressive and combative media round from Kwasniok appears to have alienated club management. The German tabloid claims a decision to part company with the 44-year-old has been made. During the March international break, the Bundesliga outfit will decide how to proceed. 

Köln to promote internally?

Three other Bundesliga clubs (Augsburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Wolfsburg) have opted for internal solutions after sacking their head coaches this season. Manuel Baum (Augsburg) and Eugen Polanski (Gladbach) remain in office, while Daniel Bauer (Wolfsburg) has already been dismissed. Köln may prepared to roll the dice with an unknown.

Kwasniok’s status with Köln has been shaky for quite some time. and Sport Bild claims that the Domstädter have been eyeing up assistant coach René Wagner as a possible replacement. Unlike Baum (front office), Polanski (reserves), and Bauer (reserves), Wagner would be the first assistant promoted this year.

Friedhelm Funkel to return?

The 72-year-old German coaching legend not only helped Köln achieve promotion last year, but also kept Köln from being relegated during his short-term appointing during the 2020/21 campaign. Funkel was most enthusiastic about accepting the Kölner appointment last season and did tell reporters that he was interested in remaining in charge of die Geißböcke in the top flight. 

Negotiations to install Funkel on a permanent basis nevertheless fell apart last summer, leading to Kwasniok receiving his first Bundesliga appointment. If Funkel does return, it will be the fourth overall time that he’s coached the cathedral city outfit and third time in the last five years.

Is either option likely?

Potential problems with both appointments concern the fact that Wagner may retain some loyalty to Kwasniok and (one assumes) Funkel may still harbor some resentment about not receiving a permanent job last year. The latter case can probably still be easily resolved. 

One thus reasons that Funkel’s appointment could be a likely outcome. Discussions may yet carry on for a few days whilst Kölner management considers coming up with other alternatives. It could be the case that neither Funkel nor Wagner end up with the job. 

GGFN | Peter Weis