season start - Funkel: HSV and Köln are favorites in the 2. Liga
Ex-Kaiserslautern Trainer Friedhelm Funkel sees Hamburg SV and 1. FC Cologne as favorites for the start of the season in the 2. Football-Bundesliga. In an interview with "Kicker", Funkel acknowledged his former club from Cologne, despite the transfer ban, as having a good squad. "The team has stayed together, has signed two good second-league players in Jonas Urbig and Tim Lemperle, is well-drilled and experienced", said the 70-year-old.
Regarding his other former club, Fortuna Düsseldorf, Funkel predicts a more difficult season following their relegation defeat. In particular, he believes the departure of top scorer Christos Tzolis cannot be replaced. He sees Fortuna in the first third of the table, but not on the promotion places. He also sees FC Schalke and Hertha BSC in a similar light.
Another stint on the bench?
Friedhelm Funkel has promoted a team from the 2. Football-Bundesliga six times, including with Cologne and Düsseldorf. Last season, he saved 1. FC Kaiserslautern from relegation in the 2. Liga and led them to the final of the German Cup. He did not rule out another coaching position in the interview.
He will follow the season opener between 1. FC Cologne and Hamburg SV live on Friday (20.30 Uhr), and then goes on vacation.
- Hamburg SV and 1. FC Cologne, both former clubs of Friedhelm Funkel, are seen as strong contenders for the season start in the 2. Football-Bundesliga.
- The squad of 1. FC Cologne, despite the transfer ban, is praised by Funkel for staying together and signing players like Jonas Urbig and Tim Lemperle.
- In the interview, Funkel also discussed his former club Fortuna Düsseldorf, predicting a challenging season due to the loss of top scorer Christos Tzolis.
- Regarding FC Schalke and Hertha BSC, Funkel shares similar expectations, not seeing them as promotion contenders this season.
- During the season opener between 1. FC Cologne and Hamburg SV, Funkel will be closely following the action live on Friday night.
- After the season opener, Funkel plans to take a well-deserved vacation to unwind before possibly considering another coaching position in the future, possibly in Germany.
