Friedhelm Funkel: Triumphal start at 1. FC Köln! Ascent in sight!

Friedhelm Funkel: Triumphal start at 1. FC Köln! Ascent in sight!

Köln, Deutschland - Friedhelm Funkel celebrated a successful debut as a coach of 1. FC Köln yesterday. The Cologne team turned the game against 1. FC Nürnberg and won 2-1. This important game took place as part of the 2nd Bundesliga and could be crucial for the desired promotion to the Bundesliga. On the last day of the match, there is a crucial duel against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, where Cologne may be able to secure the ascent. The FAZ reports that Janis Antte Nuremberg in the 46th Minute took the lead before Florian Kainz made the equalizer in the 67th minute and scored the winning goal in the 90th minute. This happened after a decisive mistake by Nuremberg's goalkeeper Michal Kukucka.

Cologne started the game quite dynamically and already had a penalty in the 2nd minute, but was withdrawn according to video evidence. Opportunities were awarded when Eric Martel and Tim Lemperle did not meet, and Jan Thielmann met the aluminum with post and latte. Despite the sleepy start in the second half, in which Anstei scored the first goal, the Cologne team could come back and take control of the game.

Funkel's return and strategy

Friedhelm Funkel, who was freshly presented as a coach of 1. FC Köln, has a special connection to the club. It is his third term after he had worked as a coach from 2002 to 2003 and from April to June 2021. In his second term, he had successfully saved the Cologne team from relegation. WDR reports on Monday after the exemption by Gerhard Struber, due to insufficient performance and the loss of trust. Funkel himself expressed that it was a good feeling to be back at 1. FC Cologne and had no longer expected a return. He initially signed for two games, but can also remain up to four games.

In conversations with the players, Funkel wants to bring the lightness and fun back. According to WDR he is considered a quiet, experienced pragmatist who can get the optimum out of his team. Funkel attaches great importance to team unity and sees the cabin as a retreat to avoid public criticism. His goal is to mobilize everything in the remaining two games to regain belief in your own strength.

table situation and outlook

With the victory over Nuremberg, Cologne temporarily took over the lead. However, whether you can keep this position depends on the results of the other games, in particular that of Hamburger SV, which could trace on Saturday. In another game, the SC Preussen Münster was able to climb to 14th place with a 2-0 win against Hertha BSC. Jorrit Hendrix was the most striking player, scored both goals and thus ensured the first defeat of the Hertha after seven unbeaten games. The FAZ also reports with a red card for Linus Gechter had to struggle in the 77th minute.