As an expert, Friedhelm Funkel practiced hard criticism of the 1st FC Köln squad a few weeks ago. Now he is a coach – and sees some things differently.
Friedhelm Funkel is back at 1. FC Köln – and now faces players that he had publicly questioned a few weeks ago. When today’s coach gave the Cologne city-Anzeiger an interview at the end of March, he had hardly expected to be responsible just a few weeks later. At that time, the 71-year-old spoke openly about his view of the team-and found clear words about the personnel policy of ex-sports director Christian Keller.
“From the outside, I lack one or two personalities, leaders who give the direction. I also have too little friction in the troop,” said Funkel before the game against Paderborn and left no doubt about his assessment. He also didn’t think much of the transfers during the winter break: “A clear opinion of mine: these are not reinforcements.”
The criticism of the time was primarily aimed at the strategic approach of the sporting management. Funkel questioned whether the commitment made with the commitments made had realistically addressed. “But then I cannot say publicly that the transfers were not intended as immediate help,” he complained with a view to Keller’s statements at the time – and added: In such a case, one should not have invested several million euros.
The FC had around six million euros on Jusuf Gazibegovic, Joel Schmied, Imad Rondic and the loan of Anthony Racioppi – a sum that was viewed critically in view of the sporting effect. The late transfer of Rondic in particular looked incomprehensible to him. “It has been clear for months that FC was desperately looking for a center forward. And it will come on the last day of the transfer window,” said the coaching routiner. He was initially not convinced of the Bosnian: “So far I don’t see why Rondic should be reinforcement for the team.”
The situation has now changed. Funkel is now in the middle of it instead of outside – and thus also in direct exchange with those players whose obligation he once questioned. The trainer takes the time to shape his own picture – and is open to new impressions.
He does not want his previous criticism to be understood as an attack that she was “not meant personally”. Winter transfers generally had a hard time getting used to it in a short time. After the first units, Funkel sounds more conciliatory: “You can instruct me better. And I can also deceive myself,” he says – and emphasizes: “With the statements from before – not with what I have said now.”
So rethinking seems possible – also sporty. Most recently, on April 11, Rondic and Schmied were two of the winter newcomers in the game in the game. It remains his secret whether Funkel relies on her in the coming game in Nuremberg. In any case, the trainer’s gaze seems to widen – not only based on the squad, but also on his own opinion.