1.FC KÖLN HAS HOPE
1.FC Köln has gone through tough times in recent weeks, but now more good news follows. After the well-deserved relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga and the painful departure of regular center-back Jeff Chabot, Köln can now announce good news.
Other regular players like Jan Thielmann, Eric Martel, and Timo Hübers had release clauses and could have left the club without any problems. There were many rumors about the players’ transfers, and everyone expected them to leave, but things turned out differently. All three have committed to Köln and will play for 1.FC Köln next season, even though they could play at a much higher level. This is extremely important for the club because they have a transfer ban until January 2025. This means they are not allowed to sign new players, and the retention of top players is extremely helpful.
Moreover, U17 World Champion Fayssal Harchaoui has extended his contract, much to the delight of the fans and the club itself. He is expected to be integrated into the first team next season and become a future regular player. He is one of the most interesting talents in German football. Many good news, but there are still decisions to be made.
Captain Florian Kainz and Linton Maina still have to decide. It is quite possible that they are waiting to see who the new coach will be before making their decision. Interestingly, they also have release clauses ranging from 4 to 6 million euros, and the question is who would want them for that money since their performances have not been very impressive. Their stay would be extremely important.
There are also rumors about the coach position. The coach of the Austrian champions Sturm Graz is reportedly on the list, which would be an incredibly good choice, but how realistic it is remains questionable. Additionally, the U19 coach of Hertha BSC is a possibility, as he has declined the assistant coach position at Berlin and an extension. The coach is the most important position, and a decision needs to be made quickly since preparations for the new season begin in less than two weeks. The sooner the coach is in place, the sooner preparations can begin. This transfer window is one of the most interesting and important in the club’s history, even though they cannot make any transfers themselves. Let’s see where the journey goes.
