Search for coach continues
1. FC Köln is starting 2024 without a new head coach. As the Bundesliga club announced on Sunday, André Pawlak will lead the first training session on January 2nd. Along with René Wagner and Kevin McKenna, the 52-year-old was one of three assistant coaches under Steffen Baumgart, from whom the penultimate team parted ways on December 21st. The interim solution with Pawlak gives more time in the search for a new head coach. Before the session (2 p.m.), sports director Christian Keller wants to comment on the current situation. The new football year begins for FC with the game against promoted team 1. FC Heidenheim on January 13th.
Pawlak enjoys a good reputation in Cologne. As a long-time assistant head coach under Baumgart, Markus Gisdol, Friedhelm Funkel and Achim Beierlorzer and a former U21 coach, he is familiar with the processes at the club. He also led the team back into the Bundesliga after separating from Markus at the beginning of April 2019.
According to “Kicker”, Jaka Cuber-Potocnik will also be training with the professionals for the first time. The signing of the youth player in January 2022 earned the FC a transfer ban for the next two transfer periods. His former club Olimpija Ljubljana had accused the Cologne team of having illegally instigated the then 16-year-old talent to change and defended themselves against this with FIFA. The penalty imposed by the world association was confirmed by the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) shortly before Christmas.
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