Keller strengthens coach “100 %”
© Imago
Cloudy expressions, the end of the world and “Struber out” calls: At 1. FC Köln, the next mistake in the tough promotion race of the 2nd Bundesliga has hit the mood. After the disappointing 1: 1 (0: 0) against the relegated Jahn Regensburg, the frustration of the FC fans clearly distinguished itself: loudly they demanded the end of coach Gerhard Struber and sports director Christian Keller.
“The boys sat there as if the world had gone down,” Keller described the mood in the cabin. “But we still have everything in our own hands.” Captain Timo Hüber felt reminded of difficult times and nevertheless tried to optimism: “The basic tone feels like a relegation battle, but ultimately we can create a huge thing and it is absolutely possible,” emphasized the defender.
Cologne replaced: New league leader HSV hopes for promotion party
But due to the draw, the leadership is gone, at the top, the Hamburger SV, which has recently become the goal on the way to the destination. After the sovereign 4: 0 (1-0) at Darmstadt 98, the exuberant jubilation of the professionals and fans of the HSV worked like a test run for the hoped -for promotion party, which could rise next Saturday evening in the home game against the penultimate SSV Ulm. Only one victory is still missing to finally make the return to the Bundesliga perfect after seven years.
FC, however, is at risk of a nerve -wracking season sprint. After only five points from the past five games, the lead over the relegation place is only three points. Demanding opponents are waiting with Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern. “We now have to change the switch again, otherwise it will be very tight,” warned Hübers. “We now have to speak internally and not be guided by side war locations or external influences.”
1. FC Köln: backing for Struber
Trainer Struber showed understanding for the fan frustration, saw himself as a “lightning rod” and warned not to be letted by nervous moods or emotions from the track “. “We must not forget that we still have a comfortable situation. We have to stay clearly at the helm now,” said the Austrian. He received full backing from the association. Keller emphasized that Struber enjoys “100 percent” trust: “I can rule out to change something at short notice because I don’t think anything of this.”
In Cologne, you don’t want to be discouraged despite the tense situation. “The world has not gone down and the sun will open again tomorrow – even if that’s a flippant saying. The view goes ahead, not back,” emphasized Keller. For the two end games, “tailwind” and “encouragement” are needed. The HSV, which last had to cope with setbacks, shows that the wind can turn quickly – and is now about to climb.