The 1. FC Köln has hired desired coach Lukas Kwasniok. The Cologne pays a transfer fee to Paderborn – the height has been agreed.
The 43-year-old had recently worked successfully at SC Paderborn for four years and signed a contract at FC until June 30, 2028. SC Paderborn was agreed not to disclose the transfer modalities with the SC Paderborn.
Kwasniok succeeds Friedhelm Funkel at the second division champion and trains a first division team for the first time.
“We are very pleased that we were able to win Lukas Kwasniok as the new head coach for the 1. FC Köln. He impressively demonstrated in Paderborn for several years that he can develop teams, have attractive and successful football played and young players can introduce young players to higher tasks. Bundesliga Introduce, “says FC sports director Thomas Kessler.” We are convinced that we have found the right coach with him to further develop FC in the Bundesliga and to stabilize sustainably. “
Joy on the first Bundesliga engagement
Lukas Kwasniok is looking forward to the new task: “I had played with the idea of taking a break. When Thomas Kessler contacted me, it was immediately clear to me: If I would get the opportunity to work in Cologne, then I want to do it. It is an insane club and a huge chance. It will surely be a great feeling for the FC in the Bundesliga for the first time.” He wanted to cause a sensation with the FC, according to the 43-year-old.
Most recently with Paderborn successful
Kwasniok was recently coach of SC Paderborn for four years, with whom he played around the Bundesliga promotion in the 2024/25 season and led him to fourth place – his best placement in his time at the East Westphalia.
With the commitment of Kwasnioks, a piece of FC history is repeated, as early as 2021, a long-time coach of SC Paderborn had signed: Under Steffen Baumgart, the Rhinelanders, previously saved in the relegation, immediately managed to qualify for the Conference League. Kwasniok succeeded Baumgart in Paderborn.
Before his station in Paderborn, Kwasniok had worked as a trainer at 1st FC Saarbrücken and Carl Zeiss Jena. With Saarbrücken, he had made the jump into the semi-finals of the DFB Cup in 2020 and the promotion to the 3rd league.
Not enough approval for sparkle
Before the commitment of Kwasniok, the media had speculated whether Friedhelm Funkel remains FC coach. The 71-year-old had led Cologne to promotion and signaled in the last two season games. However, he did not “feel 100 percent approval in the committees,” said Funkel.
