Coach Friedhelm Funkel can imagine remaining at 1. FC Köln.
“I feel strong enough, I am fit and have an incredibly good coaching staff. I do not exclude it for me. There is nothing to be said about it,” said the 71-year-old at Sky after promotion to the Bundesliga on Sunday. However, this is “not my decision. I don’t know what the club is going to do”. He was “open to everything”.
Funkel had taken over the Cologne residents from the released Gerhard Struber for the last two season games and won two victories. “We said that we will speak after the last match day. I really enjoyed it,” said the veteran, for whom it was the seventh climb as a coach. “I like people and I think they like me a little. I can’t say more about that.”
Thomas Kessler, who had taken over the sporting management after the separation from Christian Keller, also signaled his willingness for the coming season in the upper house. “I am ready for it. In the end, others have to decide.
President Werner Wolf announced promptly talks. “Today we look forward to two championship titles,” he also said with a view to the triumph of the U19: “And from tomorrow we will start again to think about what the future will look like.”
Funkel’s approach was very well received in the team. “What Friedhelm brought in cannot be put into words. The calm he exudes is simply insane,” said defender Dominique Heintz. “We wouldn’t mind if he stayed for another year.”