Cologne winters in the relegation zone
Steffen Baumgart has left the question of his future at 1. FC Köln open after the next setback in the Bundesliga and no longer rules out resigning. “It’s clear, in the situation we find ourselves in, that we question everything, including the coach. It’s not about me personally, it’s about all of this and it doesn’t look good to us, » the 51-year-old said in a press conference after the 2-0 defeat to 1. FC Union Berlin .
But he rejected a hasty decision. “It’s clear that we think of everything. What they will look like will certainly not be revealed to you tonight. The “Effzeh” is ranked 17th in the ranking. in the direct relegation zone for the short Christmas holidays. In 124, Baumgart has averaged 1.27 points so far, but this season the average is only 0.72 points. After matchday 16, the last time they found themselves in a worse position was during the 2017/18 relegation season.
Faced directly with the question of a possible resignation on « Sky », Baumgart explained: « It’s not about throwing in the towel, it’s about the club. Cologne is my club. When you work here for two and a half years, it’s about what’s best for the club, what’s best for this club. That doesn’t mean yes, it doesn’t mean no. We all have a responsibility and we must face it.
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Cologne were the better team against Union for a long time, but they couldn’t find an answer after conceding their first goal. Baumgart was asked if he thinks he can give his team new momentum in the relegation battle. His response was twofold: “I think we should eliminate emotions now. When we see the pure performance, I think that when we see the results of the last few weeks, it is clear that there are discussions which are part of it. Therefore, let us discuss before giving an answer in any direction.
1. FC Köln: Schwäbe and Selke consider coaching discussions unnecessary
Marvin Schwäbe and Davie Selke disagree with their coach Baumgart, who is one of the three longest-serving coaches in the Bundesliga. A coaching discussion? Useless, FC professionals said, even after the sobering defeat in the relegation battle. Selke attested to the coach’s “clear announcements” and “excellent speech.” A separation would be counterproductive, the striker said. Goalkeeper Schwäbe described it the same way.
General manager Christian Keller also commented on the precarious situation, but remained open: “Steffen is a very, very good coach. For me, the crucial question is not whether the work is good – whether it is good. What matters is that everyone is convinced that we are moving things in the right direction. I am convinced that we will achieve it in the end. » When the Bundesliga resumes on January 13, Cologne will face 1. FC Heidenheim, the promoted team, who scored 20 points, twice as many as « Effzeh ».
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