2nd league
Paths part: Funkel stops at FCK
Kaiserslautern’s coach Friedhelm Funkel sits in the Fritz Walter Stadium. photo
© Uwe Anspach/dpa
Even at 70, Friedhelm Funkel doesn’t want to announce the end of his career. In Kaiserslautern, however, things don’t go any further for the oldie coach.
Funkel came as an emergency helper in February and was already the third head coach at FCK this season after Dirk Schuster and Dimitrios Grammozis. “I would like to thank Friedhelm personally and on behalf of the entire club. He took the helm in a stormy time and fulfilled his duties here outstandingly. He brought an incredible calm to the club, which was extremely important for achieving our goals “, FCK managing director Thomas Hengen praised the work of the old trainer.
Before his departure, Funkel gets another big stage. However, in the cup final on May 25th in Berlin against German champions Bayer Leverkusen, the Lauterers are stark outsiders. “I had a great time with the team and the most important thing: we achieved our goals,” said Funkel. The past few weeks have also been very intense and emotional for him. “That’s why after this season I will relax again with my family and friends and gather new strength.”
Funkel had already declared his coaching career over in 2020, when Fortuna Düsseldorf separated from him. In 2021, however, he saved 1. FC Köln from relegation from the Bundesliga. “Age is no reason to stop. I do it because I enjoy it,” he said in a dpa interview this week. “The basic requirement is: I have to feel healthy. If it stays that way – then I don’t rule out continuing. Wherever.”