After the dismissal of Dimitrios Grammozis, the FCK is relying on full experience in the fight against relegation. With Friedhelm Funkel, a coach who had actually already ended his career is taking over.
The former FCK professional last trained 1. FC Köln for a few months in 2021 and saved them from relegation from the Bundesliga.
“I still live 100 percent football. And when I was standing on the sidelines again, I noticed that the tingling sensation was still there,” Funkel said on his 70th birthday in December. “I don’t rule out doing something as a coach again.”
More about FCK
Dimitrios Grammozis fired from FCK – The 73-day misunderstanding
FCK separates from coach Grammozis – Funkel should take over
Funkel comes with plenty of experience
Especially since Kaiserslautern is probably a matter close to the heart for the veteran: During his playing days, he played 89 competitive games for FCK. With well over 1,000 Bundesliga and second division games as a coach and player and eleven coaching positions (twice in Cologne), Funkel knows the business better than almost anyone else.
Kaiserslautern
Football | Opinion Friedhelm Funkel is the last straw for the FCK
After the dismissal of coach Dimitrios Grammozis, the experienced Friedhelm Funkel is supposed to prevent 1. FC Kaiserslautern from falling into the 3rd league. The last but only meaningful straw, says Stefan Kersthold from the SWR sports editorial team.
Wed.14.2.2024 7:30 p.m. SWR Aktuell Rhineland-Palatinate SWR RP
The FCK is in relegation position 16 with 21 points. In addition to the fight to stay in the league, Funkel still has the chance to win the first title of his coaching career with the Red Devils: In the semi-finals of the DFB Cup, Kaiserslautern will face Borussia Mönchengladbach or 1. FC Saarbrücken.