1. FC Köln will begin the new season with Markus Anfang as head coach. The Cologne-born coach will arrive by way of Holstein Kiel alongside his assistant Tom Cichon.

1. FC Köln and Markus Anfang have reached an agreement. The 43-year-old will officially transfer from Holstein Kiel to 1. FC Köln this summer alongside his assistant Tom Cichon to begin the 2018/19 season. Both coaches have signed three-year agreements.

“Markus Anfang is a coach that manages to transfer his ideas well to the team. He has proven that in Kiel. Particularly in the second half of the season he was able to show that he can work under difficult conditions,” said FC Managing Director Armin Veh. “We are glad that we were able to reach a reasonable and fair solution with Holstein Kiel.”

Markus Anfang is excited about his new challenge: “I am from Cologne. Nobody has to tell me what it means to work with this exceptional traditional club and these fans. The league does not matter. I am thankful to Holstein Kiel for a wonderful time together and for allowing me this chance.”

Markus Anfang was born on 12 June 1974. The former midfielder played in the Bundesliga for Fortuna Düsseldorf, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, MSV Duisburg, and FC Schalke 04. He began his coaching position at Holstein Kiel in September 2016. He achieved promotion to the second league in 2017 and is currently fighting for promotion into the first league.