By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Seven promotions to the Bundesliga - plus two more as a player - have earned Friedhelm Funkel a unique place in German football history.
At 71, Funkel is more than just a veteran of over 1,000 games. He's considered a representative of the game's "old school," known not only for tactical know-how but also for valuable soft skills that continue to resonate with players.
Last weekend, the former midfielder did it again, leading 1. FC Cologne-one of the Bundesliga's founding members and its first-ever champion in 1963 - back to the top flight in just two games.
In early May, Funkel appeared to be the perfect fit for the struggling club.
"His calmness is overwhelming and unprecedented," said defender Dominique Heintz after two decisive victories that pushed Cologne past Hamburger SV to claim the 2024-25 2. Bundesliga title.
Still feeling "the fire inside" to coach, Funkel has openly expressed interest in staying on for another season-though he was quick to credit his predecessor.
Austrian coach Gerhard Gruber had lost the confidence of the squad, prompting Cologne to call on the record-setting coach once more as the club lost ground during the season's final stretch.
"From the first day, we felt this calmness and confidence," Heintz said. "The atmosphere changed immediately."
Though Funkel had previously announced his retirement, he has repeatedly returned as an emergency solution. He rescued Cologne in 2021, managed Kaiserslautern in 2024, and returned to Cologne in 2025-each time for only a few games, but always under pressure.
The 1985 German Cup winner rarely faltered at any of his stops and admits that living without the demands of football feels nearly impossible.
Whether he'll stay on remains unclear. Gruber's departure was followed by leadership shake-ups within the club, adding to the uncertainty.
"I don't exclude anything," Funkel said after several Cologne players publicly called for him to remain.
The German football magazine Kicker recommended the club retain the "promotion hero"-"in whatever position." At an emotionally charged club like Cologne, the magazine noted, Funkel's steadying presence could help ease tensions.
He's also earned a reputation as a calming, fatherly figure. Ahead of the final match, 23-year-old striker Tim Lemperle drew criticism after being caught partying. Funkel resolved the issue with a long phone call, leaving Lemperle on the bench for disciplinary reasons before subbing him on in the 71st minute.
Pragmatic, composed, and quietly effective, Funkel may yet write another chapter with Cologne. ■
