By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Friedhelm Funkel responds to speculation linking him with FC Köln

Friedhelm Funkel has responded to rumors linking him with FC Köln.
Friedhelm Funkel.
Friedhelm Funkel.Photo: Fuguito/CC-by-SA 3.0
Former Fortuna Düsseldorf coach Friedhelm Funkel has reacted to a Sport Bild report claiming that he has been lined up as a potential replacement for Markus Gisdol at FC Köln.

According to Sport Bild, Köln's clash with Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday will be Gisdol's last chance to save his job.

Funkel is being touted as a possible successor, but the 67-year-old insists he has been approached by FC Köln yet.

"No one has spoken with me. I've already said that I will think about whether to return to coaching if I get a concrete offer," Funkel told Sport1.

Last month, Funkel was linked with the coaching job at Schalke 04, who opted to hire Christian Gross instead. According to the 67-year-old, 'The Royal Blues' never contacted him.

"I don't want to say anything further on this subject. I have learned from the Schalke case. There was zero contact with them, and stories were still written about me," he added.

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