1. FC Köln and Markus Rejek are going their separate ways. Now many questions remain unanswered.
Werner Wolf, the president of 1. FC Köln, apparently did not want to share any major regrets when he commented on Markus Rejek’s farewell in the billy goats’ press release. You have to respect if someone wants to leave for personal reasons. We wish the outgoing managing director all the best. No attempt to change his mind, the FC boss doesn’t seem to shed a tear for the marketing expert.
Rejek has implemented numerous projects at FC in the past few months. All major contracts with the million-dollar sponsors were extended, decisions were made in the stadium and at the Geißbockheim that are expected to bring in seven-figure amounts, and the plans in the board’s strategy paper were fulfilled. In addition, the FC will market itself again from 2026. A big step for the whole club.
A step for which Rejek will no longer be responsible – he was the one who initiated it. The 56-year-old’s departure is the logical consequence of an ongoing tussle for competence – some would call it a power struggle – that has taken place practically from day one. Rejek came to FC as the third managing director of a complete realignment, eleven months after financier Philipp Türoff and seven months after sports director Christian Keller. But Rejek never warmed up to the latter in particular.
There were disputes over responsibilities and promises from the board that were not kept. In the end, Rejek apparently decided to withdraw of his own free will. Keller, who has just extended his contract, remains opposed. It is obvious that he won the power struggle. Even if the 46-year-old would probably describe this conflict more diplomatically.
What remains are open questions that the board in particular has to put up with. How could it happen that the trio of managing directors installed by the club’s management only lasted together for two years? What lessons does the board have to learn with regard to the new appointment? And above all: Is the board around President Werner Wolf even allowed to choose Rejek’s successor?
Because one thing is clear: Wolf and his vice presidents are in the last ten months of their second term in office. A third electoral term is becoming increasingly unlikely. Wolf and Co. have not yet commented on their future. Their position has been weakened for a long time, not just since the members failed to discharge them in September. The trio only has a weak mandate; going it alone would be damaging for the entire club.
President Wolf must therefore mediate and explain internally between the committees and decision-makers. Something he has only rarely achieved in his time in office. One thing is clear: Rejek’s departure as marketing director is another indication that the board had only limited success with its work.