It's turbulent times again in Cologne: The 1. FC has a new board, fighting against the direct relegation and has just retired from the DFB Cup. Before the derby against Fortuna Dusseldorf this weekend coach Achim Beierlorzer worries about his job. In this crisis now falls the message of a farewell: CEO Armin Veh will leave the club this summer.
Veh will not extend its current contract until June 2020, informed the 1. FC Cologne. In the club statement it says, Veh leads personal reasons for the farewell. "I've been at the forefront of professional football for more than 30 years, and I've felt in my reflections and discussions about the future that I do not plan on going beyond the summer and want to commit myself to such a responsible job," he says. Year old quotes.
# effzeh CEO Armin #Veh will not renew his contract with 1. FC Köln beyond June 2020. All information https://t.co/sNJCkv567l
- 1. FC Cologne (@fckoeln) October 31, 2019In the past few weeks, Vehs had already been speculating about leaving. With the old board and ex-president Werner Spinner Veh had argued about competences. The new board, since September in office, but had wanted a contract extension. "We want to extend with Armin Veh, he has done a lot of things right, and I am a great friend of continuity," said FC President Werner Wolf in mid-September on "Sky". But Veh needed some time to think - and has now decided to leave.
"We appreciate that he did not play poker or played on time, but informed us early and open about his decision," said FC President Wolf now.
Successor sought
It was important to him to provide clarity, Veh said: "The FC now has planning security and enough time to find the right man for my succession." In December, Veh had succeeded Jörg Schmadtke. At that time, Cologne was in last place in the Bundesliga and dropped at the end of the season. After a season in the 2nd Bundesliga, the FC rose again last summer. Despite leading the stand, Veh left shortly before the end of the season, leaving former coach Markus Anfang behind.
Again, there are discussions about the coach again. Cologne is on the relegation place and was eliminated last Tuesday against the fourth division 1. FC Saarbrücken from the DFB Cup. Coach Beierlorzer is under pressure before the derby at Fortuna Dusseldorf. Veh says, "I will do everything we can to achieve our goals with the FC, and we need to focus on relegation now."