Cologne fires Lukas Kwasniok as coach after dropping next to Bundesliga relegation zone

Cologne has dismissed head coach LukasKwasniok following a seven-match winless streak that has left the club perilously close to the Bundesliga relegation zone. The decision was confirmed by the club on Sunday.

The immediate trigger for the dismissal was a 3-3 draw with rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Rhine derby on Saturday. The club stated that this result was the final straw for both Kwasniok and his assistant, Frank Kaspari.

Managing Director Thomas Kessler explained the decision, citing a lack of points accumulated by the team. He stated that after intensive analysis, the club decided a change was necessary.

Former assistant coach RenéWagner has been appointed as the interim head coach for the final seven games of the season. Wagner expressed his commitment, vowing to do everything possible to keep Cologne in the top division.

Kwasniok, who joined Cologne from Paderborn last summer, had a contract running until 2028. During his tenure, the team was eliminated from the GermanCup by Bayern Munich and has collected only 26 points from 27 Bundesliga matches, leaving them just two points above the relegation playoff spot.