1.FC Köln’s five man short list for permanent head coach role | OneFootball

Despite reports saying Urs Fischer has signed on as 1.FC Köln new head coach, kicker reports that Effzeh have yet to make their decision and have a five-man shortlist.

On Friday, current interim head coach Friedheim Funkel declined the opportunity to take charge of the team on a permanent basis. So Köln have begun to look at alternatives.

There are five names on Effzeh’s shortlist: Christian Titz (Magdeburg), Christian Eichner (Karlsruhe), Horst Steffen (Elversberg), Lukas Kwasniok (Paderborn) and Urs Fischer (ex-Union Berlin). Former Hoffenheim and Stuttgart head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo is not a candidate, despite other reports.

Each manager has different qualities and will require different fees to try and obtain. Titz, Steffen and Kwasniok all play more attacking football, but only the latter would be available on a free as he will leave Paderborn this summer. While the future of Steffen is unknown, especially if he helps Elversberg gain promotion to the Bundesliga.

Eichner was a candidate to become Köln manager last summer, but the Gießbock instead opted for Gerhard Struber. The current Karlsruhe manager signed a contract until 2027 earlier this season, so a large transfer fee would be likely.

Fischer, on the other hand, is a more defensive option and would be available immediately, as he has been without a club since leaving Union Berlin in 2023/24.

A decision is expected this week.

GGFN | Jack Meenan