News blog about 1. FC Cologne
From LA to Cologne? Transfer rumor about striker
Updated on May 23, 2026 – 2:32 p.mReading time: 31 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.
David Martinez before moving to 1. FC Köln?
David Martinez is said to be about to move to… 1. FC Cologne stand. At least that’s what Venezuelan journalist Fernando Petrocelli reports. Martinez, a five-time national player for Venezuela, is currently playing for Los Angeles FC and is supposed to play his last game in the US MLS on Monday night.
However, as the “Geissblog” reports, the topic is not that hot. The 20-year-old winger is no stranger to those responsible in Cologne, but there is apparently no talk of an imminent transfer. It remains to be seen whether Martinez (five goals in 13 MLS games) will be a concrete candidate this summer.
FC decides the most important personnel: Wagner remains head coach!
1. FC Köln and René Wagner have agreed on further cooperation. The billy goats will announce on Friday afternoon that the 37-year-old will remain FC head coach and will be given a contract until 2028. After his interim role, Wagner is the official successor to Lukas Kwasniok at the Billy Goats.
Wagner was promoted from assistant to interim coach in March after Kwasniok was fired. Even back then, the 37-year-old was considered a candidate for a permanent role as head coach. Now the promotion after achieving relegation.
El Mala not in the World Cup squad – Nagelsmann explains decision
Big disappointment for 1. FC Köln and Said El Mala: The offensive player was not nominated for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico by national coach Julian Nagelsmann. On Tuesday, the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” reported that El Mala would be part of the German World Cup squad. At the press conference, Nagelsmann explained the reasons for his decision – and at the same time praised the FC professional’s reaction: “Said reacted very well. He played a great second half of the season and scored well.”
The national coach primarily referred to different game profiles and tactical considerations. El Mala fits “very well with Cologne’s game idea”, but we have to check “whether he fits into our game idea at the level of our attack.” Instead, Nagelsmann chose, among others, Maximilian Beier from Borussia Dortmund: “We have Maxi Beier for the counterattack, who played a great season – with extreme hard work and an incredible mentality.” Nagelsmann said to El Mala: “His time will come.”
