3 defeats in February
©IMAGO
After victories in January against fellow relegation candidates Mainz 05 (2:1) and VfL Wolfsburg (1:0) temporarily ensured quieter times for 1.FC Cologne, criticism of coach Lukas Kwasniok is increasing again after a weak February. The 0:2 on Friday evening was the third defeat from the last four games, plus the 2:2 against Hoffenheim – so no win all month. While a change of coach is being discussed again in the transfer market community, the vice president responsible for the sports sector in Cologne, Prof. Dr. Ulf Sobek Kwasniok had his back.
“Lukas Kwasniok knows pressure situations and has proven several times in his career that he can stabilize and develop teams. I experience every day the intensity and clarity with which he works with his coaching team,” the 53-year-old told the “Picture“. The sporting management around managing director Thomas Kessler and the board are in close communication about this. “Now it’s about adjusting the right screws together and getting the team back on the road to success.”
Nevertheless, the newspaper emphasizes, without quoting Sobek, that things will be tight for Kwasniok, who came from Paderborn last summer, if the next games don’t bring anything worthwhile. Until the international break at the end of March, FC will face BVB at home (March 7th), play against fellow promoted team HSV (March 14th) and welcome Gladbach in the derby (March 21st).
Regarding the recent weak form, Sobek said that such phases are “part of reality” for a promoted team. “We have already shown this season that we are competitive and can win games at this level. The current point tally does not show a good trend. What is important now is how we deal with it. We analyze very clearly and very critically internally, without becoming hectic.” After all: In the 2026 Bundesliga annual table, Cologne is above the line, as in the entire 2025/26 table: This year the team scored eight points, more than Union Berlin (7), Werder Bremen (5), Wolfsburg (5) and bottom team Heidenheim (3).
Basically, according to Sobek, the team does well “in many phases” of the games, but lacks “consistency over 90 minutes and efficiency in both penalty areas”. Cologne invests fell, but rewards are too rare. Eleven own goals in 2026 are a solid average in the Bundesliga, but only three teams have conceded more goals than the Billy Goats’ 17. “We have great respect for the situation, but we are convinced of the quality of our squad and the daily work,” said Sobek. “In phases like these, it’s all about clarity, unity and conviction. Our goal is to turn the trend around as quickly as possible. Here everyone stands close together and works hand in hand.”
Transfermarkt community discusses Cologne coaching change
In the forum, the sirens went off in many places after the 2-0 defeat against Augsburg. “Now action must finally be taken. It hasn’t made sense with Kwasniok for weeks,” writes user “Litti2901”. “Geissbock79” asks: “Is he still there? Man Kessler, wake up and finally act! It can’t go on like this! He has to go now before it’s actually too late!” And “Ball0n” says: “After nine defeats and two wins in 14 games, for me personally his time is up. I haven’t believed in the coach since the Frankfurt game, but you’ve probably noticed that I didn’t criticize the coach today for his line-up or tactics. I even defended him. Now, as far as I’m concerned, he can go and make room for someone who believes he can win against any opponent.”
“Marvcek” argues against this: “I’ve made it pretty clear (example: Bremen, Gladbach, Frankfurt) why expelling coaches doesn’t have any effect or change. Logically, it’s easy to play the coach-change-yourself game and rely on the team simply playing against the coach and actually doing it better. I’ll tell you what: No, this team can’t do it better. You could put the greatest coaching god on the sidelines and have the same result.”
All good, something like that can be easily clarified 👍
I don’t think Kwasniok is untouchable either, but I actually see him as tactically very interesting and capable of development. But he also has to prove the latter by making adjustments when, like right now, things aren’t going well at all.
In my opinion, the market really doesn’t offer much.
Either there are exciting trainers outside of our shelves and trainers at our reach are not necessarily effective in my opinion.
I’ll take another look later…
