After the last home game against SV Darmstadt 98, 1. FC Köln have parted company with Markus Anfang and his coaching team. André Pawlak will, along with Manfred Schmid, take charge until the end of the season.

Following the conclusion of the home defeat against SV Darmstadt 98, 1. FC Köln have parted company with head coach, Markus Anfang and both of his assistants, Tom Cichon and Florian Junge. For the final three games of the season, André Pawlak will take charge as head coach along with Manfred Schmid.

“After an intensive work-up of the last gew games, we have decided to bring an end to the work with Markus and his team. Despite, as before, the good position in the table, there has been a negative trend. In this phase of the season, it was therefore necessary to change something so as to not bring our goal into danger. With André and Manfred as assistant coach at his side, we have an experience team, that can prepare and set-up our team best in the final three games. We thank Markus and his team heartily for their work and wish them all the best,” said FC managing director, Armin Veh.

“My Köln heart is sad, as my clear goal was to go up together with FC. The team will, without doubt, get over the line in the final three games – because the position in the table is good. I must accept the decision, even when it is naturally tough. I thank everyone who supported me and wish the club all the best for the future,” said Markus Anfang, who joined FC as head coach in summer 2018 from Holstein Kiel.

André Pawlak came to 1. FC Köln in 2017 as an under-17 coach and took over the responsibilities for the Regionalliga team in October 2017. In summer 2018, the Gelsenkirchen-born coach ended his engagement in order to complete his studies as a manager. Since November 2018, he returned to the under-21s and successfully completed his studies in March. Manfred Schmid, who returned at the beginning of March as chief scout, worked from summer 2013 to December 2017 as assistant at FC.