Club icon Christoph Daum sees an extremely difficult season ahead for 1. FC Köln – one that could also become a crucial test internally.
Will 1. FC Köln have another successful season after coach Steffen Baumgart’s team qualified for the Europa Conference in seventh place in 2021/22? Ex-coach Christoph Daum curbed expectations in advance.
“The overarching goal must be not to have anything to do with relegation and to stabilize over the next two to three years,” said the 68-year-old in an interview with “picture“. Because: “It’s about setting up the financial framework in such a way that you can act freely on the transfer market again.” A single-digit place in the table “would be a huge success”.
One of the reasons why Cologne shouldn’t just look upwards is the upcoming triple burden of league, cup and international games. In the Conference League, Effzeh will start international business on August 18th and 25th.
Baumgart and Effzeh: “Until now it was a honeymoon”
Daum knows: “Due to the multiple burdens, many things have to be adjusted. Training processes, the way the players live – there’s a lot coming up for FC. Every player has to adapt to it as quickly as possible.” It “does make a difference” whether you “only have to cope with the domestic competitions or also with international games every few weeks”.
So you have to be prepared in Cologne for the fact that “there will be a longer dry spell”. Then successful coach Baumgart would also face a test. “Until now it was the phase of honeymoon and falling in love,” Daum continued about the relationship between the club and the coach.
Daum on Modeste-Poker: “I always laugh a little bit about it”
Meanwhile, the performance of top striker Anthony Modeste, who started his last year of contract in Cologne, should also be decisive for the success. The club is currently not in the financial position to extend the 34-year-old, managing director Christian Keller recently announced. Modeste herself had recently called for clarity and “security”.
Christoph Daum is also certain that the financial aspect is decisive in poker for the French. “Supposedly, so many contracts are no longer about money, but about appreciation. I always laugh at it a bit: contract negotiations are always about the amount of the proposed salary.”
If Modeste shows “similar performances to last season” before the winter break, “there is a contract offer under the Christmas tree,” said Daum.