1. FC Köln have parted ways with Christian Keller and Gerhard Struber. Thomas Kessler will take over as Sporting Director and Friedhelm Funkel will take the reins as head coach.
The 1. FC Köln Board of Directors and the Club’s Joint Committee have decided to part ways with Managing Director Sport, Christian Keller and Head Coach, Gerhard Struber with immediate effect. Thomas Kessler will take over as Sporting Director while Friedhelm Funkel will coach the side until the end of the season.
“Our decision is the result of our analysis of the sporting developments over the past few weeks. When taking into account the chances of automatic promotion back to the Bundesliga, we have to do everything to take that chance,” said FC-President, Werner Wolf. “We can’t leave everything to chance in regard to the results of our competition. The team have to get back to their strengths. For that, new impulses are required. We no longer seen that. After long consideration with the sporting competence team, we have decided to take this step.”
Christian Keller took over as Managing Director Sport in April 2022. After relegation in summer 2024, he recruited Gerhard Struber as the head coach with the goal of returning to the Bundesliga. Keller and Struber have now been relieved of their duties. Assistant Coach Bernd Eibler will also leave the club.
Christian Keller said: “I wish the entirety of FC, especially the team and the employees, only the very best and I am convinced that they will get promoted back to the Bundesliga. With the wind in the sails following promotion, it will then be seen that the base for a more sustainable FC future has been put in place. A short-term change at the Head Coach position is something that I didn’t want to take on in this context, as that did not fit to my convictions and values. It is very important to me to thank the many FC fans who, despite difficult phases, supported me and let me feel that FC feeling.”
Gerhard Struber said: “Over the course of the season, a marathon is often spoken about that we are running together. How difficult this race is can be seen in the current table. Now, having the finish line in front of our eyes and still being in a good position, the decision is one that hurts. I wish the team and the entire club all the best for the remaining matches.”
Werner Wolf thanked Christian Keller and Gerhard Struber for their efforts: “Christian Keller led the club through difficult times in the past three years and played a huge role in the structural and financial strengthening of FC. Gerhard Struber, since arriving in July 2024, has shown great engagement in bringing the team on course and are in the running for promotion. Both deserve our thanks for that.”
On the new constellation, Wolf said: “With Thomas Kessler and Friedhelm Funkel, we are handing over the sporting reins to two people who know FC inside out. Thomas is not just a Kölner with his whole heart, he was involved in many processes in regard to the squad planning and, therefore, can continue to lead all of the relevant discussions. In Friedhelm, we have a coach who knows FC and pressure situations very well. In the past, he has proven that he can stabilise teams in decisive moments and lead to success. For example, the successful relegation play-off in 2021. We are convinced that, with his expertise and calmness, he is the right man in order to lead the team to promotion in the final two games of the season.”
Thomas Kessler, up until now as Head of Football, will take over the role of Sporting Director alongside Managing Director, Philipp Türoff. Kessler said: “I want to thank Christian Keller for the trusting working relationship over the past few years. I want to thank Gerhard Struber and Bernd Eibler for their efforts this season. For my new role, I feel a large amount of responsibility and huge motivation, doing everything we can with everyone here under the premise of our shared goal.”
Kessler spoke about Friedhelm Funkel: “We are pleased that we could win over Friedhelm Funkel in our current situation. His qualities and experience made him our number one candidate for the upcoming challenges. Friedhelm also knows the club inside out. From the first moment in our talks, I knew that he was ready for the task.”
Friedhelm Funkel is looking forward to his return: “FC is and remains in my heart. Now, it is about mobilising everything for the final two games, finding the belief in our strengths and winning promotion together. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am convinced that we will reach our goal.”