Berlin (AP) – Coach Steffen Baumgart hopes that top scorer Anthony Modeste will stay with Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln. “Tony is a very important player for us and a big factor. And he should stay that way. I want Tony to stay,” he told the “Kölnische Rundschau”.
The 50-year-old is critical of the striker’s statement that he does not want to start the coming season with an expiring player contract. The club must have the say in such matters and set the pace. “In the past, FC let itself be carried away by advisors, players and certain situations. That’s the worst thing that can happen to you.”
Happy about Modeste’s “super” development
In addition, Modeste has a contract as a trainer in Cologne for a long period of time. “I know many who would like to have this contract,” said Baumgart. He is happy about the “super” development of the 33-year-old Frenchman. However, if the same conversation had been held nine months ago, “I don’t know what the answer would have been. Now everyone is acting as if FC can’t do it without Tony. Yes, he can.” Modeste has scored 15 goals for seventh in the table so far. The striker’s contract runs until June 30, 2023, after which he has a five-year contract as a coach.
Baumgart has clear ideas for his own contract extension. “If my contract should be extended, it’s about us continuing what we’re doing now. That’s the difficult thing in football. Football is rather thin than thick ice,” said the native of Rostock, who until June 30, 2023 tied to the FC. He could even imagine signing a permanent contract. “If both sides are clear – even in the event of a separation – there is nothing to be said against it.”