Kwasniok starts at 1. FC Köln: First test game on July 12th!

Kwasniok starts at 1. FC Köln: First test game on July 12th!

Bad Waltersdorf, Österreich - On June 6, 2025, Lukas Kwasniok took over the scepter at 1. FC Köln. The former coach of SC Paderborn is considered a promising choice and will now steer the club's fortunes. Shortly after his order, there are first highlights, because his first test game on July 12th leads against SV Bergisch Gladbach 09 in the Belkaw-Arena. President Lutz Urbach is enthusiastic about this duel, especially since the Cologne team already achieved an impressive 6-0 against the Gladbachers two years ago. It will be exciting to see how the newly obliged players Ragnar Ache and Isak Bergmann Johannesson will present themselves under Kwasniok's management.

The official preparation for Cologne -based company begins at the beginning of July with performance tests, but the exact date is still pending. From July 19 to 26, the team and their new trainer will then spend in the training camp in the Spa Resort Styria in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria. Here Kwasniok and his team have the opportunity to prepare intensively. Already in August the first competitive games are pending, with the DFB Cup between August 15 and 18, followed by the first Bundesliga game between August 22 and 24.

new impulses and squad changes

FC Köln has big plans for the coming season. In the conversations about the squad planning, the sporting management attaches particular importance to a stronger occupation of the offensive positions. The newcomer Ragnar Ache has already set positive accents at SC Paderborn and exceeded its XGoals value by more than two, which is optimistic about sports director Thomas Kessler. Kwasniok is also expected to use the strengths of Ache and Damion Downs to use the game of his team effectively.

In the external position, the trainer already has a variety of talents available: Florian Kainz, Jan Thielmann and Linton Maina bring a breath of fresh air with their skills. In addition, Jusuf Gazibegovic, Learst Pacerada and Max Finkgräfe are available, which can spread off -river on the defensive. It is also likely that there are still some changes in the squad to further support Kwasniok's play style and put together a powerful squad.

Change of coach and its effects

Change of coach in the Bundesliga are nothing unusual, we know that. The reasons are often dissatisfaction with the previous performance, as numerous examples have shown in recent years. Scientific studies have shown that such changes can have both positive and negative effects. Sebastian Zart from the TU Kaiserslautern, together with Arne, has analyzed several hundreds of coaches and found that they often lead to performance increases at short notice. The positive influence can be noticeable up to 16 game days after the change. It is often crucial that performance -reducing factors of the predecessor, such as dissatisfaction in the team, are no longer available.

With Lukas Kwasniok's arrival, the Cologne residents hope for a similar effect. The last coach that Cologne from Paderborn took, led the club to Europe. It will be shown in the coming months whether Kwasniok can build on these successes.

In the meantime, the anticipation for the first test game on July 12th remains high. FC Köln will probably be well prepared to face the challenges of the new season and to inspire fans with exciting games. Let us be surprised at what the new era will bring under Kwasniok.