René Wagner remains coach of 1. FC Köln. Wagner initially took over on an interim basis in March and led the club to stay in the league, but now FC has announced the extension of his contract.
As the club announced on Friday afternoon, the 37-year-old will continue to look after the Bundesliga club in the coming season. According to the announcement, Wagner signed a contract until 2028.
“We used the time after the season intensively to not only look at the development of the last few months, but above all to look ahead,” said FC managing director Thomas Kessler about the decision-making process.
FC sports director Kessler about Wagner: “Clear, authentic style”
“René convinced us in these discussions on several levels and with all stakeholder groups,” continued Kessler. “He has a high level of sporting competence, a clear and authentic style of leadership and a very concrete idea of how we would like to develop our team in the future.”
Wagner took over the job in mid-March from Lukas Kwasniok, from whom FC parted ways after the 3-3 draw in the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach. With the not exactly generous six points from seven games, Wagner kept Cologne in the Bundesliga. In the final table, the club took 14th place and was three points ahead of the relegation zone.
Wagner sets the goal: “More stable Bundesliga club”
“I am very pleased with the decision and the trust shown by those responsible for FC,” said Wagner. “The fact that I can now take on this task at FC in the Bundesliga is special for me. We managed to stay in the league. That has been above all else in the last few weeks – and is the basis for us to take a step towards becoming a stable Bundesliga club together with the team, indeed with the entire FC. I will give everything to achieve that.”
Since taking on the responsibility, he has shown that he can provide guidance in a challenging situation and unite people behind a common goal.
FC managing director Thomas Kessler about René Wagner
President Jörn Stobbe had already leaned out of the window at the end of the season celebration on Monday evening. Wagner was “in pole position” in the talks despite the poor end to the season with the 1:3 against relegated 1. FC Heidenheim and a 1:5 loss at Bayern Munich. “He accomplished a mission,” said Stobbe.
Our sources:
- Sports Information Service
- German press agency
- Press release from 1. FC Cologne
Broadcast: wdr.de“René Wagner remains coach of 1. FC Köln, May 22, 20263:29 p.m
