Funkel denies Köln links, Düsseldorf may be nearing sack of Rösler
Speaking to Sky Germany, Friedhelm Funkel denied any reported links with the head-coaching position at 1. FC Köln.
At the same time, it looks as if Fortuna Düsseldorf are set to sack the man who replaced Funkel at his previous club.
An article appearing on skysport.de contains an explicit denial from legendary German football trainer Friedhelm Funkel that he was a viable candidate to take over the head-coaching position at Köln.
At the same time, it looks as if Fortuna Düsseldorf are set to sack the man who replaced Funkel at his previous club.
"That's all bollocks," the 67-year-old is quoted in the article as saying, "I have no contact at all with 1. FC Köln."
Funkel, let go by then top-tier Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf in January 2020, at the time declared that his storied three-decade-career as a Germain football trainer complete. Funkel announced his retirement from coaching and vowed never to return to the sidelines.
Further quotes in the article seem to suggest that this decision hasn't been necessarily working out well for him. Funkel, in light of the corona lockdown, appeared to be pondering a return.
"I would be on vacation, but that's not possible," Funkel noted, "Because of the pandemic, my situation has changed. Under normal circumstances, I would be on vacation somewhere with my wife, but that doesn't work. If a club inquires, I'll listen."
Meanwhile, rumors continue to circulate that the last club Funkel coached are prepared to release his replacement. Düsseldorf let Funkel go last January after four seasons in a bid to avoid relegation. Uwe Rösler was unable to help the Flingeraner avoid the drop and it looks unlikely that the F95 can hope for promotion back to the top flight this year.
SportBild reported yesterday that current Borussia Dortmund trainer Edin Terzic has been linked with the Düsseldorf job. German footballing magazine Kicker noted today that the club prepares to make an announcement concerning Rösler by the end of the week.