Ex-player wants to save club with 40-page concept

Dieter Prestin, a player for 1. FC Köln from 1975 to 1989, wants to save the ailing Bundesliga club. The ex-professional has drawn up a 40-page concept.

Does a double winner spark a power struggle at 1. FC Köln? Dieter Prestin, part of the legendary team from 1978 and a three-time DFB Cup winner with the Billy Goats, wants to turn the club around with a strategy paper that was developed over a year and a half – to position it more successfully for the future.

Prestin announced this in an interview with “tz”. Accordingly, he wrote a “almost 40-page concept about a possible future for the FC”. With this, the 67-year-old now wants to “put his finger in the wound”.

What exactly does the concept look like? “I don’t want to give too much away in advance,” says Prestin and reveals: “It’s not just about making 1. FC Köln suitable for the Bundesliga again in the long term, but about a little more: taking the step towards Europe again. And for that You have to bring sports competence back into the board, the management, but also into the youth department.”

Prestin had actually arranged a personal meeting with Werner Wolf to present his concept to the FC president. But nothing will come of it now. After Prestin’s “tz” interview, Wolf canceled – the board found the going public “disturbing”. Especially since the ex-FC professional doesn’t shy away from criticizing those responsible for the club. “The way the club is currently doing,” Prestin begins his interview, “I’ve almost lost faith in my 1. FC Köln. I’m afraid that the club will slip into no man’s land.”

First of all, the new coach gets rid of his fat: “Timo Schultz was fired both at St. Pauli and after a very short time at FC Basel. He has taken on a herculean task and I wish him good luck and success. Nevertheless, I would have one in the relegation battle Trainer who has already experienced and mastered this procedure is preferred.”

Then the board: “The ‘professionalism’ with which the club bosses dealt with the CAS regarding the imposed transfer ban cannot be surpassed in terms of arrogance. There is an absolute lack of football competence in the boardroom – both on the board and among the advisors of the board. There is simply a lack of quality. And that has led to the sporting situation being the way it is.”

Prestin, who opened a sports insurance agency after his career, says: “How are these people supposed to professionally evaluate whether the sports manager, sports director, trainer and the transfers are the right ones? That’s where you have to start. Sports competence has to be restored at 1. FC Köln be significantly improved.”

If the Hürth native had his way, it would be time for a change at the top of the club: “In the free economy, the problem would be solved relatively quickly: here are the culprits – and get rid of them.” But: “There is no such thing in Cologne. And it is also clear to me that just complaining doesn’t help.” Hence his 40-page concept.

And Prestin apparently has supporters for this. “I am in very close contact with some players from my playing days and also with some who were successful for 1. FC Köln afterwards,” he explains and even goes one step further: “We have specific people in mind, who would bring the urgently needed sports expertise for the club.”

Whether he himself is one of them? “That’s the big question that I asked myself. I played for 1. FC Köln for 23 years. My heart will always beat for FC. After I ended my career due to injury in 1988, I was always very closely involved in the professional football business.”

A denial definitely sounds different – and if Prestin gets serious, there is a risk of a power struggle. At the latest by the end of the term of office of the current Executive Board next year. Potential board trios that are not proposed by the Members’ Council can still stand for election with the signatures of three percent of the members.