Baumgart fights for his job at 1 FC Köln
Steffen Baumgart is fighting with 1. FC Köln to stay in the league and for his future. Managing director Christian Keller has publicly distanced himself from the coach for the first time. At the end of the year, the relegation summit will take place at old friends Union Berlin of all places.
Steffen Baumgart knows every nook and cranny of the stadium at the Alte Försterei, and many long-time Union Berlin employees are personally known to the FC Köln coach from his playing days. The trip to Berlin-Köpenick has therefore always been a welcome destination for Baumgart in the past - but at the end of the year it is under difficult circumstances.
Baumgart's job in Cologne is no longer safe after a completely botched first half of the season. The discussion is gathering pace, FC managing director Christian Keller has publicly distanced himself for the first time. In the relegation summit at his old love Union (Wednesday, 6.30pm/Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de), Baumgart has more at stake than just three much-needed points. The coach is aware of his situation - and he is not suppressing it. "The situation we're in simply means that you have to discuss the coach. We have to question everything, that's part of it. If you look at the half-season, if you've picked up ten points in 15 games, nobody can be satisfied."
"This is clearly about the FC"
The sporting situation is questioned in discussions with the club management around Keller. Baumgart assured that the exchange was "very, very good. I think it's good that we're dealing with the situation very openly and clearly and not standing up and saying: 'We'll go through thick and thin here'." Baumgart does not have sleepless nights as a result. The 51-year-old has been in the business too long - he knows the mechanisms. "I can't worry about my job every day," said Baumgart: "It's not about individuals. It's clearly about the FC."
The situation is threatening. Before the end of the year, Cologne are in the relegation place behind Berlin, who are also in crisis. The clash in Köpenick will point the way forward. "Both teams are on fire," said Baumgart, "anyone who knows the Alte Försterei knows that it will burn. We want to counter that." Meanwhile, Nenad Bjelica does not have to worry about his job. The Croatian has made a solid start as Urs Fischer's successor at Union. However, the recent setback at VfL Bochum (0:3) still had an effect.
Bjelica said that the clash against Cologne was now also an opportunity to make amends quickly. "Of course, it would be ideal to go into the winter break with a good feeling. That would be great for everyone at the club. We will be prepared," said the Croatian. And if it goes wrong? Then that would be manageable for Union: "No team stays in the Bundesliga with ten or 13 points. You have to keep going." That also applies to 1. FC Köln - with or without Steffen Baumgart.
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In the upcoming relegation battle, 1.FC Cologne will face their old friends 1.FC Union Berlin. Baumgart, aware of his situation, knows that this match is more than just another three points for his team, as the coach has more at stake.
Despite Union Berlin's recent setback against VfL Bochum, Nenad Bjelica remains focused on the clash against Cologne, seeing it as an opportunity to make amends and secure a good feeling heading into the winter break. The Croatian coach, like Baumgart, is well aware that no team in the Bundesliga can afford to lose momentum with just ten or thirteen points.
Source: www.ntv.de
