As of: February 14, 2024, 12:06 p.m
By: Joshua Eibl
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1. FC Kaiserslautern, who are in danger of relegation, will apparently sign Friedhelm Funkel as their new head coach.
The coaching legend should succeed the released Dimitrios Grammozis.
Kaiserslautern – The coaching legend Friedhelm Funkel is apparently back at 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
In the 2nd Bundesliga, he should not only save the Red Devils from falling into the third division, but also keep their cup dreams alive.
Funkel has to master the balancing act between relegation battle and DFB Cup euphoria
Funkel knows Kaiserslautern very well.
During his playing days between 1980 and 1983, he played a total of 89 times for the then Bundesliga club.
According to kicker,
he is now
on the sidelines as a coach at FCK for the first time.
Funkel's tasks couldn't be more different: On the one hand, he has to prepare the team for the tough relegation battle in the second division.
With only 21 points from 21 games, 1. FC Kaiserslautern is in the relegation zone and is in danger of slipping back into the third division.
On the other hand, there is the sensational run in the DFB Cup.
The club wants to reach the cup final for the first time since 2003.
Funkel wants to know again as a trainer.
© IMAGO
Kaiserslautern: With sparkle and a lot of experience against the relegation battle
The coaching legend brings concentrated experience to the Palatinate.
Funkel acted as coach in a total of 515 Bundesliga and over 270 second division games.
His last stop was at 1. FC Köln in the 2020/21 season, when he led the Bundesliga club to relegation.
Before that, he wielded the scepter at Fortuna Düsseldorf for years.
He also shaped an era at Eintracht Frankfurt.
At the beginning of the 2004/2005 season, Funkel took over a young team after relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga.
He immediately managed to get promoted back to the 1st Bundesliga.
There he managed to stay in the league with Eintracht Frankfurt and reached the final of the DFB Cup.
He ensured stability in the club until the 2008/09 season, but after the public and some spectators vehemently called for his dismissal after a disappointing 13th place in the table, Funkel asked the club management to terminate his contract early.
Most recently, Funkel, who actually wanted to end his coaching career, hinted that he would be available again for a new challenge.
At the second division club he inherits Dimitrios Grammozis, who was released on Wednesday morning.
Grammozis had only been in office since the beginning of December, but the desired coaching effect did not materialize.
Under him, the Lauterers lost five of six league games and slipped from 13th place to the relegation place.
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