Steffen Baumgart: Cologne coach angry because of Modeste change

In the first game without Anthony Modeste, Cologne wins the Bundesliga opener against Schalke. The victory can only dampen the anger of the coach about the departure of the goalscorer for a short time.

At first, the jubilation about the opening win had pushed the anger about Anthony Modeste’s change into the background. But around an hour after the final whistle, Steffen Baumgart still let his emotions run free. In a small angry speech, the coach of 1. FC Köln grumbled after the 3-1 (0-0) win against newly promoted FC Schalke 04 about the point at which Modeste’s move to Borussia Dortmund leaked out – and he also used one or the other expletive.

“The fact that it comes out today on the day of the game is what pisses me off,” said Baumgart at the press conference. “It’s also about fair play, keeping it under wraps and not talking big. That’s what gets on my nerves,” he explained. “So we got into a difficult situation four hours before the game and I have the arse card because I have a good personal relationship with Tony and have to make the decision to take out the boy who would have liked to play.”

“Didn’t come from us”

He does not want to judge who released the forthcoming transfer, which is due to be finalized on Monday. “It doesn’t matter whether it came from Tony’s environment, from us or from Dortmund,” said Baumgart: “But I’m relatively sure that it didn’t come from us because we don’t harm ourselves.” He didn’t want to accuse anyone, “but it was never one. Nevertheless, it comes out. And it must have been someone.”

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