Having secured Bundesliga football for another season there is more good news for Köln fans with the news that their beloved coach Steffen Baumgart has signed a new contract with the club until 2025.
Fans of the Geißböcke will get to enjoy the passionate coach for an extended period and he’ll get to continue the building project he is so skilfully orchestrating at the Rhine club. Since taking over in 2021 he has taken the club into Europe while avoiding getting involved in the relegation fight in either of his two seasons.
He has gained a reputation for making players better and his antics on the sidelines, where he is a permanently moving (and shouting) force, have been legendary.
“Our development as a whole speaks for itself” managing director Christian Keller explained. “Steffen and his coaching staff are working with consequence and systematically along a clear philosophy. Many players have enjoyed a positive personal development as a result. With his clear signature, Steffen has formed a strong collective where a large amount of togetherness and team spirit can be found.
“All of these points speak in favour of continuing our work with Steffen, regardless of the sporting results that we have achieved. Therefore, it is only correct that we, as agreed upon in summer, extend the contract. I’m very happy.”
The coach famed for wearing his flat cap as he prowls the technical area has also revealed his delight at the new contract. “In the past year, we made a clear statement: if things are working out for all parties involved, the contract will be extended for a further year. Anything else was out of the question. Why? Simply because it’s fun here, to work with my team and for FC.
“You can see that every day. We always spoke about a journey, and I am convinced that it is not yet over. We can still achieve a lot here.”
Köln will see captain Jonas Hector retire at the end of the season with long-serving goalkeeper Timo Horn also set to leave. The club are still fighting to have a UEFA-imposed transfer ban uplifted, but the new campaign certainly looks like one that is going to need all of Baumgart’s wiles.
