News blog about 1. FC Cologne
With three squad returnees against Hoffenheim?
Updated February 19, 2026 – 4:22 p.mReading time: 17 mins.
1. FC Köln is playing first class again this season. In the news blog on t-online you will find all the important news about the Geißbockheim.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The hospital of the 1. FC Cologne clears up. At the home game against TSG Hoffenheim, three professionals who were recently missing could return to the squad: Isak Johannesson, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Dominique Heintz. Johannesson is fit again after an illness, Simpson-Pusey and Heintz have recovered from muscular injuries.
“Jahmai is a squad member, but not yet a starting eleven option. He has taken part in all the training sessions so far, but only controlled,” says Kwasniok about Simpson-Pusey. Heintz “has been through everything and is also a squad option.”
Patience, however, is still required for Linton Maina (broken rib) and Alessio Castro-Montes (muscle injury). “That’s not entirely foreseeable yet. In any case, it’s not enough for Saturday,” said Kwasniok about Cologne’s further comeback plans.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
1. FC Köln has reacted to the ongoing weakness in terms of set pieces this season and relieved the responsible coach, Hannes Dold, of his duties. Lukas Kwasniok’s assistant, who only took on the role in the summer, was no longer on the training pitch this week. “It’s always a shame when someone has to go. But standards were simply a big problem for us,” said Marius Bülter on Wednesday about the decision.
However, the striker did not want to blame Dold alone for the numerous goals conceded after dead balls. “In the end, we are on the pitch and have responsibility for it. This is a clear sign for us as a team that we have to continue to work hard.” First, Dold’s tasks are to be redistributed internally. The 33-year-old, who has been working at the club for twelve years, is now to be involved elsewhere. Discussions about a new task are ongoing.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
The professionals from 1. FC Köln were able to use the morning of Violet Tuesday to sleep in after the Rose Monday procession. At lunchtime, however, coach Lukas Kwasniok was invited back to the training ground for initial preparation for the home game against TSG Hoffenheim.