Urs Fischer expected to take charge at Köln following Struber departure | OneFootball

FC Köln have officially parted company with head coach Gerhard Struber, confirming the decision earlier this morning. As the club prepares for the final two fixtures of the 2. Bundesliga campaign, experienced manager Friedhelm Funkel has been appointed on an interim basis. Meanwhile, speculation is already mounting regarding the club’s long-term plans, with Urs Fischer emerging as a strong contender to take over.

According to reports from RTL/ntv and sport.de, Fischer, formerly of Union Berlin, is believed to be high on Köln’s shortlist for the role starting from the 2025/26 season. Sources close to the club suggest that the Swiss coach has already given an informal agreement to take the post, with one significant condition. He is only prepared to assume the role if Köln succeed in achieving promotion to the Bundesliga.

At present, Köln occupy second place in the 2. Bundesliga table with 55 points. However, a disappointing one-all draw against Jahn Regensburg at the weekend allowed Hamburg to move ahead by a single point. The gap between Köln and the third-placed side, Elversberg, who currently hold the play-off position, stands at only three points.

Should Köln secure automatic promotion over the final two matchdays, Fischer is expected to oversee a rebuilding project aimed at ensuring top-flight stability. Fischer is well acquainted with the demands of the Bundesliga. In 2019, he guided Union Berlin to promotion in his debut season, subsequently managing the club in 147 Bundesliga matches. Under his leadership, Union progressed from the domestic league into European competitions, reaching both the Europa League and the Champions League. He left the club in late 2023 following a sequence of 14 matches without victory in all competitions.

In the meantime, Friedhelm Funkel has returned to the Köln dugout for a third spell in charge. He previously managed the team from February 2002 to October 2003 and again from April to June 2021. In his most recent tenure, he successfully kept the club in the top division by winning the relegation play-off against Holstein Kiel. Funkel has achieved promotion to the Bundesliga on six occasions with various clubs, a record among German coaches.

Sporting director Thomas Kessler expressed confidence in the appointment. “We are very pleased to have secured Friedhelm Funkel for this critical period. His expertise and deep understanding of the club and its environment make him the ideal choice for the tasks ahead. From the very beginning of our discussions, it was clear to me that he is highly motivated and ready to take on this challenge,” Kessler said.