Funkel is supposed to save 1. FC Köln: "I'm convinced that we can do it"

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It was the end of January 2020 when he left the Fortuna Düsseldorf training grounds for the last time.

Friedhelm Funkel had tears in his eyes.

Fortuna, who was in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga at the time, had given him leave.

Funkel, who received congratulations on social media for the election as “Düsseldorf's Coach of the Year” the day before the release from Fortuna, the release came very close.

With the departure in the Rhine metropolis, it seemed, at least, an era in the Bundesliga ended.

Because after 29 years on the sidelines, Funkel said: “My coaching career is definitely over.

I leave with the feeling that I have experienced four extraordinary years here in Düsseldorf. "

But now Funkel is returning to the coaching bench.

He only changes location along the Rhine - he goes back to 1. FC Köln, where he was coach from 2002 to 2003.

Funkel, 67 years old, is supposed to be in the table 17.

keep the Bundesliga from relegation.

He succeeds Markus Gisdol, who was relieved of his duties on Sunday evening after the 2: 3 against FSV Mainz 05.

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“I have followed FC closely over the past few weeks and had a good conversation with Horst Heldt (

).

The team has performed well recently, but has not paid off.

When working with the boys, it is now important to use the same effort to get the points needed to stay in the league.

I am convinced that we can do it, ”said Friedhelm Funkel on Monday.

In Cologne they rely on the "great experience" that Funkel has in the relegation battle, said Heldt.

He is familiar with such situations.

“He will lead our team until the end of the season with the aim of staying up.

He has the sovereignty that is needed now to give a new impetus in this phase, to keep the necessary calm and to prepare our team for the important remaining six games. "