Bundesliga - Timo Schultz becomes new coach at 1. FC Köln
Following the departure of head coach Steffen Baumgart, 1. FC Köln has appointed Timo Schultz as his successor. The 46-year-old will lead the first training session at the Bundesliga club on Thursday, as the 17th-placed team announced. Several media outlets had previously reported on the appointment, starting with the TV channel Sky. Schultz was most recently head coach at Swiss first division club FC Basel, where he was released in September. He had previously coached second-division club FC St. Pauli from 2020 to 2022. Schultz also played for the Hanseatic club from 2005 to 2012.
"He has the personality and the expertise to raise the performance potential of our team," said Sporting Director Christian Keller about Schultz, according to a press release. The new coach will be officially introduced in Cologne on Thursday afternoon. His first match is scheduled for Saturday against 1. FC Heidenheim.
"I'm looking forward to a very exciting task at this great traditional club. We will work hard and intensively over the next few weeks to achieve the necessary results. FC belongs in the Bundesliga 1," said Schultz. The new task is likely to be a more difficult mission for him. After just two wins in 16 games, Cologne are three points off 15th place and in a direct relegation spot. In addition, the squad cannot be strengthened during the winter break or next summer due to a transfer ban imposed by the International Court of Arbitration for Sport Cas.
The legacy of his predecessor Baumgart, who enjoyed great popularity among FC fans, makes Schultz's task even more difficult. Baumgart and Cologne prematurely ended their partnership, which was originally due to run until 2025, shortly before Christmas, one day after a defeat at Union Berlin.
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- Timo Schultz, the new coach of 1. FC Köln, hails from North Rhine-Westphalia, where he also began his career as a player with FC St. Pauli.
- Amidst speculation, Sky was the first media outlet to report the appointment of Schultz as the successor to Steffen Baumgot at FC Köln, a team currently struggling in the Bundesliga.
- Schultz's challenges as the new coach in Cologne are manifold, including guiding the team out of its current 17th position in the Bundesliga and dealing with the high expectations set by Baumgart's popular tenure.
- Despite the club's financial constraints due to a transfer ban, Schultz expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, "FC belongs in the Bundesliga 1," and pledging to work tirelessly with the existing squad.
- As Schultz gears up for his first match against 1. FC Heidenheim, the BCühlen-HSiebbe sports complex in Cologne will host his official introduction as the new coach, with the support of fans who will hope for his success in the Bundesliga.
Source: www.stern.de
