Newsblog for 1. FC Cologne
“Mental not ready”: FC professional leaves national team
Updated on June 8th, 2025 – 5:51 p.m.Reading time: 83 min.
The 1. FC Köln is the football club from the cathedral city. In the New sticker on T-Online you will find all the important messages about the “billy goats”.
If you include the two newcomers Said El Mala and Isak Johannesson, eight professionals of 1. FC Köln were nominated for their respective national teams this summer. Including Denis Huseinbasic, who has been running for the A team of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a year. However, he has currently left the national team.
“The footballer informed the coaching staff that he does not feel mentally ready to perform,” says a report published on Sunday. Bosnian media speculate about problems with national coach Sergej Barbarb. On Saturday, Huseinbasic only sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes at the World Cup qualification game against San Marino (1-0). On Tuesday, a test duel with Slovenia is waiting for Bosnia and Herzegovina – without the Cologne.
The 1. FC Köln continues to change its sporting leadership. After the discharge of sports managing director Christian Keller, Thomas Kessler, as sports director, initially took over the management of the sporting area. The managing director position will continue to be vacant in the future, but the previous young boss Lukas Berg will move into the sporting management as a technical director.
As the billy goats confirmed on Saturday, Berg’s position next to Kessler will be created. A new head of the FC Academy, on the other hand, still has to be found. “With the newly created position of the technical director, we specifically strengthen the sporting management of 1. FC Köln,” said Managing Director Philipp Türoff. “Lukas Berg will actively support Thomas Kessler in this important role and in particular ensure the consistent strategic development as well as the optimization of structures and processes in the entire sporting area.”
Now it’s official: Lukas Kwasniok has signed his contract with FC. The association announced on Friday morning. The 43-year-old signed a contract until 2028 and will be presented at the end of June as part of a press conference.
Lukas Kwasniok said: “I had thought about taking a break. When Thomas Kessler contacted me, it was immediately clear to me: If I got the opportunity to work in Cologne, I really want to do it. It is an insane club and a huge chance. It will certainly be a great feeling for the first time in the Bundesliga. Those a sensation. “
FC sports director Thomas Kessler said: “Lukas Kwasniok has impressively demonstrated in Paderborn for several years that he can develop teams, have attractive and successful football playing and young players can bring young players to higher tasks.” This should now also succeed in the Bundesliga at FC. “We are convinced that we found the right trainer with him to further develop FC in the Bundesliga and to stabilize sustainably.”
It should be ready on Friday: 1. FC Köln should officially announce the obligation of his new coach Lukas Kwasniok at the end of the week. After the agreement with the 43-year-old and SC Paderborn, who collects around one million euros for Kwasniok, the last formalities were said to be clarified on Thursday.
At the same time, a rumor popped up: Kwasniok could bring the 20-year-old Aaron tenth. According to the “Kölnische Rundschau”, FC and the best Paderborn preparer of last season (twelve templates) are already in contact. The U20 international can be used flexibly on the left wing. Tenth market value is estimated at five million euros. According to information from the “Geissblog”, an official offer has not yet been available.