News blog about 1. FC Cologne
Wagner takes over: Kwasniok’s exit from 1. FC Köln has been decided
Updated March 22, 2026 – 8:35 p.mReading time: 28 minutes
1. FC Köln is fighting to stay in the Bundesliga. In the news blog on t-online you will find all the important news about the Geißbockheim.
The 1. FC Cologne has separated from head coach Lukas Kwasniok. This is the club’s reaction to the sporting decline of the past few months. After a strong start to the season, Kwasniok and his team only managed two wins from 18 games. In the last seven games, the team did not achieve a single success. The 3-3 draw in the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach was ultimately not enough for the coach.
Kwasniok himself arrived at the Geißbockheim at 10:48 a.m. on Sunday in a good mood, but he left the club premises again just 20 minutes later. A detailed analysis of the sporting situation took place without the coach. Instead, sports director Thomas Kessler as well as the board and the joint committee came to the conclusion in the afternoon that a new impulse was now needed to stay in the league. For the time being, assistant coach René Wagner is taking responsibility for the Bundesliga club.
1. FC Köln canceled training scheduled for Sunday after the 3-3 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. When asked, FC explained that coach Lukas Kwasniok made this decision himself, regardless of his own future. Nevertheless, the day off for the professionals turns into a busy day for the FC bosses.
Sports director Thomas Kessler has announced an analysis of the sporting situation for Sunday. The sports director not only wants to speak to Kwasniok, but also to the board and the club’s other committee heads. A decision about Kwasniok’s future at FC is expected to be made on Sunday.
1. FC Köln and Lukas Kwasniok missed the urgently needed derby win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. After being behind twice and temporarily leading, both teams’ 100th Bundesliga game ended in a 3-3 draw. Ultimately, the result may not be enough for the FC coach to keep his job.
