News blog about 1. FC Cologne
FC professional bets with coach for goal
Updated April 13, 2026 – 6:18 p.mReading time: 10 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.
His joy knew no bounds: In the 3-1 win against Werder Bremen, Cenk Özkacar was a few centimeters short of the first Bundesliga goal of his career, the central defender failed to head off the post before Ragnar Ache’s goal to make it 2-0 – but Özkacar still made an emotional celebration run to the bench, where he first hugged assistant coach Lukas Sinkiewicz and then head coach René Wagner.
Wagner revealed after the final whistle: “There’s a bet between Cenk and Sinke as to whether he can score a header goal. Today it was close. I think there’s a lot at stake – and I hope that Cenk can win the bet at some point.” Since Sinkiewicz took over the assistant position at FC, the former defender has been working extensively with the Cologne central defenders on heading the ball.
The Cologne team left the pitch as winners on Sunday afternoon. At home, FC Cologne beat Werder Bremen 3-1 (1-0). Saïd El Mala shot FC into the lead in the seventh minute, and Ragnar Ache increased the lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute.
Afterwards, things got exciting again in the Rheinenergiestadion: Romano Schmid scored the goal for Bremen, also from a penalty (75th minute). Ultimately, the Cologne team was able to save the victory over time. In seven minutes of injury time, Isak Johannesson even increased the score to 3-1.
FC is in 13th place in the table with 30 points, while Bremen are in 15th place in the table with 28 points.
Even if it is still unclear when the time will come, FC Bayern Munich is preparing internally for the end of Manuel Neuer’s career. Apparently an experienced number two is supposed to be signed, who will keep future hope Jonas Urbig free. According to “Bild”, at least three names were discussed: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Daniel Heuer Fernandes (HSV) – and Cologne’s Marvin Schwäbe.
However, the thought games surrounding Swabia were quickly discarded. After all, the FC captain and Urbig have a common past in Cologne. Before his transfer to Bayern, Schwäbe had relegated the youngster to the bench. A renewed interaction in the goalkeeping team could therefore be associated with tensions for the two, which the record champions would like to avoid as much as possible.
