2011–12 1. FC Köln season

1. FC Köln
2011–12 season
Manager Ståle Solbakken
Stadium RheinEnergieStadion
Bundesliga 17th (relegated)
DFB-Pokal 2nd Round
Top goalscorer League: Lukas Podolski (14)
All: Lukas Podolski (14)
Highest home attendance (v. Borussia Mönchengladbach) 50.000
Lowest home attendance (v. 1. FC Nürnberg) 43.200
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2010–11 2012–13 →

The 2011–12 1. FC Köln season began on 31 July 2011 against Wiedenbrück 2000 in a DFB-Pokal 1st round match. They play their home matches in RheinEnergieStadion.

The club hired Ståle Solbakken as their new head coach. The board of directors announced their resignation at the annual general meeting. Speculation concerning Lukas Podolski's future at 1. FC Köln has been written about a lot during the season. 1. FC Köln were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal in the 2nd Round. The club was in tenth place halfway through the season. The club went to Portimão, Portugal, during the winter break. Unfortunately, the team had an alarming slump in form in the second half of the season, coinciding with news that their star player Lukas Podolski had signed for Arsenal on 30 April and would join the team on 1 July. They were officially relegated from the Bundesliga after their 4–1 home loss to second-placed Bayern Munich on 5 May on the final day of the 2011–12 Bundesliga season.

Review and events

Off-season

Prior to the last match of last season, 1. FC Köln hired Ståle Solbakken as their new head coach.[1][2] He previously coached Copenhagen.[1] Also on the last matchday of last season, Petit tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a match against Schalke 04 and has yet to debut this season.[2][3]

Pre-season

Arsenal defeated 1. FC Köln 2–1.[4] On 25 July, Solbakken named Pedro Geromel captain.[5] Lukas Podolski was Geromel's predecessor.[5]

Season

On 31 July, 1. FC Köln opened up their season with a 3–0 DFB-Pokal win against Wiedenbrück 2000.[6]

1. FC Köln were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal in the 2nd Round.[7]

On 13 November, Wolfgang Overath along with deputies Friedrich Neukirch and Jürgen Glowacz resigned from the board of directors.[8][9] Overath stated how there was a "strain in recent months" for all of them and "frustration, inner conflict, and wear and tear".[8] Overath also stated how the board was "not always a team" and how he "was reviled and insulted in a way, as I have never experienced before.".[8][9]

On 19 November, the match against Mainz 05 was canceled after the referee for the match, Babak Rafati, attempted suicide.[10][11] The match was eventually rescheduled for 13 December.[12]

1. FC Köln stated that they would allow Sebastian Freis and Kevin Pezzoni to leave on free transfers.[13]

For the winter break, 1. FC Köln returned to practice on 2 January 2012 at 11:00 CET (UTC+01) and had a training camp in Portimão, Portugal, from 5 January to 12 January.[14]

On 4 March 2012, a group 1. FC Köln supporters attacked a bus with Borussia Mönchengladbach supporters in it.[15]

On 10 March 2012, 1. FC Köln announced, that in mutual agreement, Volker Finke will be released from his position as Sporting Director.[16]

On 12 April 2012, 1. FC Köln dismissed Ståle Solbakken as head coach of the club and replaced him with Frank Schaefer.[17][18] The club was in 16th place at the time of the firing.[17] The club originally announced that he was "on leave".[18] However, Solbakken confirmed that he was fired.[18]

1. FC Köln finished in 17th place and were relegated on the final day of the season.[19] Hertha BSC would have been automatically been relegated if they had lost or drew against 1899 Hoffenheim.[19]

Lukas Podolski

Lukas Podolski's future at 1. FC Köln has been speculated much during the first half of the season by the media. Turkish media announced how Podolski and Galatasaray S.K. had already agreed.[20] These rumours were proved false when Podolski was still at 1. FC Köln when the transfer deadline passed. In August, Sports Director Volker Finke stated how the club absolutely must keep Podolski at all cost.[20]

Arsenal, Lokomotiv Moscow, Galatasaray S.K., Lazio and Schalke 04 are all known to be interested in Podolski and have been tracking him during the first half of season.[21][22] However, it would be difficult for Schalke 04 to sign Podolski. Podolski stated that "a change in the Bundesliga is for me very difficult to imagine".[23] Arsène Wenger has denied that he wants to purchase Podolski during the winter transfer period.[24] Die Welt has reported that Wenger has no interest in Podolski at all.[25]

Finke stated on 11 December that "Podolski would not be part of the squad for 2012-13, if he did not sign an extension" while Podolski responded by stating "he would be willing to play for the amateurs or sit in the stands while his current deal expired".[21] 1. FC Köln is about €25 million in debt and Finke doesn't believe that 1. FC Köln can afford a free transfer.[21][26] Deutsche Welle stated that the "more logical decision" would be to sell Podolski during the winter transfer period because he is not cup-tied to any club in UEFA's European competitions and how their position to sell would be weaken if they wait for next summer.[21]

Jürgen Klopp came out and criticized Podolski.[27] Klopp stated how Podolski only plays well every other week and is too expensive because of this.[27] Podolski stated how he turned down Klopp twice and how Borussia Dortmund can't afford him because they don't have anymore UEFA Champions League revenue this season.[27]

Arsenal F.C. defender Per Mertesacker stated how Podolski, along with former Arsenal F.C. striker Thierry Henry, would be "perfect acquisitions".[28] On 7 March, Mertesacker stated that Podolski has asked about "a potential move to the Emirates".[29][30] Oliver Bierhoff stated that Podolski would be making a "great move" if he left 1. FC Köln for Arsenal F.C.[31]

There were reports that claimed 1. FC Köln sold Podolski to Arsenal F.C. for €13 million with Bayern Munich getting 10% of the amount over €10 million.[32] However, Podolski himself denied that any deal has been finalized with Arsenal F.C.[33] Reports doubted that the move will even happen after Podolski claimed that he could be tempted by Lazio.[34]

Podolski finally decided to sign for Arsenal on 30 April.[35][36]

Matches

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Bundesliga

DFB-Pokal

Squad information

Transfers

In

N
 P
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 EU
 Moving from
 Type
 Transfer
window		 Ends
 Transfer
fee		 Ref.

Out

N
 P
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 EU
 Moving to
 Type
 Transfer
window		 Transfer
fee		 Source

Roster, appearances, goals and assists

As of 30 April 2012

Squad Season 2011-12
PlayersBundesligaDFB-PokalTotals
No.PlayerNat.Birthdayat FCK sincePrevious clubMPGAMPGAMPGA
Goalkeepers
1Michael Rensing14 May 19852011Bayern Munich310010032 00
22Miro Varvodić15 May 19892008Hajduk Split200100300
24Daniel Schwabke19 July 198920071. FC Magdeburg000000000
26Timo Horn12 May 19932002SC Rondorf000000000
Defenders
2Mišo Brečko1 May 19842008Hamburger SV26022002802
3Ammar Jemal20 April 19872011Young Boys15201001610
4Christian Eichner24 November 198220111899 Hoffenheim28012003001
12Andrezinho9 October 19812010Vitória de Guimarães700100800
17Henrique Sereno18 May 19852011Porto25001002600
18Tomoaki Makino11 May 19872011Sanfrecce Hiroshima300000300
21Pedro Geromel (captain)21 September 19852008Vitória de Guimarães27001012801
23Kevin McKenna21 January 19802007Energie Cottbus24100002410
33Mitchell Weiser21 April 19942005TVE Veltenhof100000100
35Alexander Vaaßen9 December 19911998Viktoria Thorr000000000
Midfielders
5Sascha Riether23 March 19832011VfL Wolfsburg17002001900
6Kevin Pezzoni22 March 19892008Blackburn Rovers11102001310
8Petit25 September 19762008Benfica000000000
13Martin Lanig11 July 19842010VfB Stuttgart30012003201
15Sławomir Peszko19 February 19852011Lech Poznań31262013327
19Mato Jajalo24 May 19882010Siena30332203253
20Adil Chihi21 February 19882004Fortuna Düsseldorf10201001120
25Adam Matuszczyk14 February 19892003VfB Dillingen9001001000
28Odise Roshi22 May 19912011Flamurtari Vlorë20112002211
29Christopher Buchtmann25 April 19922010Fulham F.C.000000000
Forwards
7Sebastian Freis23 April 19852009Karlsruher SC401100501
10Lukas Podolski4 June 19852009Bayern Munich1614520118146
11Milivoje Novaković18 May 19792006Litex Lovech723120843
14Alexandru Ioniță5 August 19892010Rapid București000000000
16Mikael Ishak31 March 19932012Assyriska FF11000001100
27Christian Clemens4 August 19912001SC Köln Weiler-Volkhoven15422001742
31Mark Uth24 August 19912009Viktoria Köln000000000
38Thiemo-Jérôme Kialka12 January 19892007VfL 93 Hamburg000000000
MP = Matches played — G = Goals scored — A = Assists
Sources:[6][7][37][38]

Sources

  1. 1 2 "Schalkes nächste Niederlage, Köln holt Solbakken". Die Welt (in German). 14 May 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Solbakken neuer FC-Coach - Kreuzbandriss bei Petit". kicker (in German). 15 May 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "Petit". kicker. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "FC verliert gegen Arsenal - Pause für Rensing". kicker (in German). 24 July 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Solbakken bestätigt: Geromel löst Podolski ab". kicker (in German). 25 July 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Podolski legt gleich zweimal für Novakovic auf". kicker (in German). 31 July 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Musona macht Schluss mit Kölner Pokalträumen". kicker (in German). 25 October 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 "Zu viel Frust: Overath tritt ab und erntet Pfiffe". kicker (in German). 13 November 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  9. 1 2 Brockhausen, Jan (13 November 2011). "FC-Chef Overath fühlte sich in Köln "verunglimpft"". Die Welt (in German). Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Rafati nach Suizidversuch außer Lebensgefahr". kicker (in German). 19 November 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Bundesliga-Referee Rafati wollte sich umbringen". Die Welt. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  12. ↑ "Köln gegen Mainz am 13. Dezember". kicker (in German). 21 November 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "Freis darf ablösefrei gehen - nach Freiburg?". kicker (in German). 22 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "Ab in den Süden". kicker (in German). 23 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Football fans coordinate brutal bus attack". The Local. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  16. ↑ "Director Finke leaves Cologne". ESPN Soccernet. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  17. 1 2 "1. FC Köln entlässt Solbakken – Schaefer übernimmt". Die Welt (in German). 12 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  18. 1 2 3 "Solbakken 'sacked' by Cologne". ESPN Soccernet. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  19. 1 2 "Cologne relegated, reprieve for Hertha Berlin". Deutsche Welle. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  20. 1 2 "Finkes Machtwort: Podolski bleibt". kicker (in German). 21 August 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Chase, Jefferson (13 December 2011). "Podolski heads the list of prominent Bundesliga transfer candidates". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  22. ↑ "Wieder Spekulationen um Podolski". kicker (in German). 9 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "Podolski will Köln nur Richtung Ausland verlassen". Die Welt (in German). 14 December 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  24. ↑ "Podolski-Transfer im Winter? Wenger sagt: "No!"". kicker (in German). 16 December 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "Arsenals Trainer Wenger hat kein Interesse an Podolski". Die Welt (in German). 16 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "Podolski-Deal im Winter? FC ohne Schmerzgrenze". kicker (in German). 5 December 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  27. 1 2 3 "Podolski teilt gegen Klopp aus". kicker (in German). 12 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  28. ↑ "Per keen on Henry and Podolski". ESPN Soccernet. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  29. ↑ "Poldi asks Mertesacker about Gunners". ESPN Soccernet. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  30. ↑ "Mertesacker berichtet: SMS von Podolski". Kicker (in German). 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  31. ↑ "Bierhoff talks up Podolski Arsenal move". ESPN Soccernet. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  32. ↑ "13 Millionen – Podolskis Wechsel zu Arsenal perfekt". Die Welt (in German). 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  33. ↑ "Podolski denies Arsenal deal". ESPN Soccernet. 11 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  34. ↑ "Podolski hints at Arsenal U-turn". ESPN Soccernet. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  35. ↑ "Arsenal reach deal to sign Podolski". ESPN Soccernet. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  36. ↑ "Podolskis Wechsel zum FC Arsenal ist perfekt". Die Welt (in German). 30 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  37. ↑ "1. Bundesliga - 1. FC Köln - Kader". kicker. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  38. ↑ "1. FC Köln - Kader" (in German). fussballdaten.de. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
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