2nd Bundesliga: Funkel’s mission: Lay on and climb a hand

If the 1. FC Köln gets in need, the rescue is usually 70 kilometers north in Krefeld. Ascent specialist Friedhelm Funkel has lost none of its effect than coaching guru even in old age. Lit up hand, listen, spread a good mood, promote the sense of community -the 71 -year -old is well received in Cologne -Sülz.

“For me, this is a bit like home,” said Funkel after taking office on Monday – the total of third parties at FC since 2002. Around 500 fans came to his coaching comeback on the Geißbockheim before his first game on Friday evening at 1st FC Nürnberg (6.30pm/Sky).

So far, Funkel has achieved six ascents

The mission is lighter and shorter than four years ago when the Cologne crisis club was already in the 2nd league. After the surprising separation of coach Gerhard Struber and sports manager Christian Keller after the disappointing 1-1 against relegated Jahn Regensburg, Funkel only has to keep second place in the remaining two games and thus ensure the return of 1. FC Köln to the Bundesliga. For Funkel it would be the seventh climb.

“The team is in second place. This means that they mostly achieved very, very many positive results. Otherwise you would no longer be there. And that has to be taught again to the team,” said the interim chief coach.

The veteran has a good recipe for this on the coaching bench. The critical reappraisal of the past games is uninteresting for him. “This is not an issue. I’m not interested in the past,” said Funkel, who has had many conversations with the players for the beginning of the week. “I believe that a good relationship of trust has grown in a nutshell,” said the Cologne coach.

The relegation is also possible again

Funkel is convinced of his mission. “I want to see simple and clear football,” said the coach. Four years ago, he managed to achieve relegation place 16 in six games and thus remain in two more games against Holstein Kiel (0: 1, 5: 1). “It was exhausting,” admitted the then 67-year-old later.

This time, too, there can be an extension of his commitment. If the Cologne names ended up in third place, the two relegation games are still against the Bundesliga-16. to. This could be called Holstein Kiel again. And on the last matchday, Funkel could also be obtained from his past when it comes to the 1. FC Kaiserslautern. The coach led the Palatinate to the DFB Cup final last year and previously managed to remain in the 2nd league with the “red devils”.

Ideally, the climb is born in the weekend

However, Funkel can also become a savior for a game. If the team wins on Friday in Nuremberg and the competition from Paderborn and not on Saturday, the 1. FC Köln has risen. Then you would maybe dedicate a monument to the Jahnwiesen in the Jahnwiesen in the Müngersdorf sports park.

A declaration of bankruptcy in the top of the club is the short -term thrown out of the previous sporting leadership. If you have no longer trusted Struber and Keller, you might have been able to get this knowledge earlier.

But the current presidium is only active until September, then maybe a new sports director will be in office, a new trainer will definitely be. The list of candidates is long. Funkel’s name will probably not like it. Only when everything goes well, the FC also plays in a new league.