News blog about 1. FC Cologne
Wagner punishes loan players: That’s why Simpson-Pusey is missing from the squad
Updated May 10, 2026 – 4:53 p.mReading time: 24 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 Jahmai Simpson-Pusey will be without Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in the home game against 1. FC Heidenheim on Sunday. The Englishman arrived late in the morning to sweat before the duel against the bottom of the table. Therefore, head coach René Wagner removed the loan player from the matchday squad. Simpson-Pusey is on loan from Manchester City to Cologne, the Billy Goats have an option to buy the 20-year-old.
In addition, Felipe Chavez, another loan player, is missing from the last home game of the season. Due to performance reasons, the midfielder had to give way to Denis Huseinbasic, who was recently left behind. Chavez is on loan from FC Bayern Munich. The billy goats have also secured a purchase option here. No decision has been made yet on either Simpson-Pusey or Chavez.
1. FC Köln asked about Süle
On Friday evening, in the 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, Niklas Süle played for Borussia Dortmund one last time in their home Signal Iduna Park. During the week, the central defender announced that he wanted to end his career after this season – at just 30 years old.
Süle, whose BVB contract expires on June 30, apparently had a few options for a future on the football field. In addition to several clubs from the US MLS, according to “Bild”, 1. FC Köln, among others, also reportedly inquired about Süle for a short time. However, the discussions did not become concrete. A commitment would probably have failed due to financial circumstances – but Süle ended the speculation anyway by ending his career.
René Wagner wants to remain head coach of 1. FC Köln, but denied concrete talks with the club on Friday. The current interim coach doesn’t want to “lose focus” before the end of the season, the 37-year-old explained on Friday before the home game against 1. FC Heidenheim. Nevertheless, he is “in very close contact” with sports director Thomas Kessler.
For a few days now, everything has been indicating that Wagner will remain head coach of the Billy Goats beyond the season. He announced on Friday after almost seven weeks in office. “I think that the atmosphere in our staff has also improved. We tried to get even closer together and bring everyone along,” reported Wagner. “Everyone should feel like they’re needed. We’ve done that.”
