Tigges' future at FC Köln: Does he stay or does he go?

Tigges' future at FC Köln: Does he stay or does he go?

Köln, Deutschland - Steffen Tigges, the 26-year-old striker of 1. FC Köln, faces an uncertain future. This season, the native Osnabrück came to 16 second division games, but was neither goals nor assist. His contract with FC is still running until 2026, and discussions about his further perspectives are scheduled for the association in the coming days. According to Express , there are already tendencies that are possible. Sports director Thomas Kessler, however, is ready to talk and hopes to find a solution that also meets Tigges.

Tigges himself has the desire to stay at FC and show his potential. However, he complains that he has not received the necessary season under the previous coach Gerhard Struber. Last season he was only in three games in the starting line -up - a fact that strangely combined with three victories of the team. Now the striker hopes to fit into the requirement profile of the new trainer Lukas Kwasniok, who prefers a 3-4-3 system with variable strikers.

The reorganization in the storm

The future of Tigges could also depend on the new additions. Ragnar Ache was committed as a new attacker, while the situation around Damion Downs, whose contract extension is still open, remains unclear. Downs' contract also ends in 2026. In addition, Imad Rondic, a winter access, is wildly on the same way to demonstrate his skills in the team. In the vicinity of the association, the need for at least three powerful strikers is emphasized, as the Cologne legend Pierre Littbarski underlined.

Tigges himself started his football career at TuS Glane, switched to VfL Osnabrück in 2011 and played there for eight years before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2019. He finally celebrated his Bundesliga premiere with the BVB professionals after he had previously risen to the 3rd division with the U23 of the club. But since moving to Cologne on July 1, 2022, he has not yet really arrived. In 81 games for the 1st FC Köln he scored 10 goals and 2 templates.

A look at the competition

The coming weeks will be crucial to see whether Tigges can really use his chance at FC or whether he has to clear the field. The pressure grows, especially in view of the competition on the offensive. Meanwhile, Liga competitor Holstein Kiel relies on continuity: the contract of head coach Marcel Rapp was extended until 2028, despite the current last place in the table. This shows that changes in squad planning and not only in the coaching question are indispensable - a lesson that the FC should also take to heart.

As is going on with Tigges and FC, it remains to be seen. The fact is that the ball is now in his field: either he convinces under the new coach or he may have to look for new horizons.