1. FC Köln: Keller is behind Baumgart – more financial leeway in 2024

Despite Cologne’s misery

Steffen Baumgart has clearly ruled out resigning as coach of 1. FC Cologne. “I’m not even close to resigning or giving up,” said Baumgart on “Sport1” after the 1-1 (0-1) draw at VfL Bochum on Saturday. After eleven games, last season’s European Cup participants are at the bottom of the table with just six points. FC only scored fewer points during this period in 2017/18 (2). Nevertheless, Baumgart, whose contract is valid until 2025, does not have to worry about his job at the moment from the club’s perspective.

“If I’m convinced of something, I don’t change it. And we are very convinced of Steffen Baumgart and his coaching team,” said sports director Christian Keller on Sunday in “One-two” and said with regard to the fight against relegation: “We can do it with Steffen Baumgart.”

With regard to the financial problems, Keller gave reason for hope for the coming year: “Sponsorship revenues of significantly more than 10 million euros were brought forward to 2024 during the pandemic. We will only have more leeway again from summer 2024.” Keller ruled out the possibility of an investor getting involved, saying that from a marketing perspective there would still be enough opportunities to increase income.

1. FC Cologne: Sports director Keller criticizes after the 1-1 draw and calls for unity

Despite great dissatisfaction with the performance against Bochum, Keller wants to remain calm. “I feel a very, very great unity internally, and based on that we will get our points,” he said in the “ZDF-Sportstudio” on Saturday evening. Keller is not worried about staying in the league: “We are clearly of the opinion that this squad has what it takes to end up in a non-relegation zone, and I assume that it will do so.”

However, the sports director expressed clear criticism of the team’s performance in Bochum. “We were taken by surprise in both rounds,” said Keller. “It was a very, very happy point.” The sports director criticized fundamentally fluctuating performances: “There is a lot that we have to work on today.”

1. FC Köln builds itself on little things: “Every point is important”

After the game, Baumgart and his players at 1. FC Köln tried to demonstratively emphasize the positive. “This is a partial success for us. A success that we have worked hard for. Whether it’s deserved or not, that doesn’t matter to us anymore,” said the coach. Davie Selke (28), who equalized in the 54th minute, made similar comments. “We have to live with the point. In our situation, every point is important,” said Selke. Nobody wanted to overstate the fact that the bottom team only got two points from the two games against their direct competitors Augsburg and Bochum. “Coming back like this today and taking a point is important for morale and that is the most important thing we take with us today,” said Selke.

In Bochum, FC was able to thank keeper Marvin Schwäbe (28) and the hosts’ lack of effectiveness as VfL was only successful through Lukas Daschner (25) in the 25th minute and did not clearly win the game. “We had that little bit that you need in the relegation battle,” said Baumgart.

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