Christian Eichner the preferred candidate for the vacant 1.FC Köln job

After 1.FC Köln parted ways with head coach Timo Schulz earlier today, the club have already begun to look for successors with Karlsruher SC’s Christian Eichner one of the candidates, reports Sky Germany.

It is said Eichner is Köln’s preferred candidate to replace Schulz at the Domstadt club. However, talks have yet to take place and director Christian Keller will begin talks with other candidates as well. Eichner can leave the 2.Bundesliga side due to a release clause in his contract which has previously been said to be worth €1-2m but for Köln it will likely be less than €1m due to being relegated. 

Eichner is also interested in taking the next step in his career. The only stumbling block for Köln is that Eichner believes that he is ready for the Bundesliga and that should be his next step. 

This is a plausible argument as Eichner led Karlsruhe to a fifth-placed finish in the 2.Bundesliga where they were the best team in the second division in the second half of the season and will likely be one of the favourites for promotion to the Bundesliga next season. 

Additionally, Eichner would not need to navigate a transfer ban at any other club. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan