COLOGNE – BO Svensson, 45, has emerged as a potential candidate for the head coach position at Cologne, according to reports from Kölnische Rundschau. While linked to Prague Sparta, a return to the 1st Bundesliga appears more probable for the Danish coach.

Cologne secured their promotion back to the German top flight after a year in the second league, largely thanks to the efforts of coaching veteran Friedhelm funk, 71. Funk stepped in for Gerhard Strubera, 48, for the final two matches, leading the team to two crucial victories. Though, Funk will not continue in the role, prompting sports director Thomas Kessler to seek a new manager.

Lukas Kwasniok, 43, who recently departed paderborn after four years, was initially considered the frontrunner. However, Kölnische Rundschau indicates that Cologne has also contacted Bo Svensson, who is looking to bounce back after a short and unsuccessful stint at Union Berlin, where he only lasted six months.

Svensson Weighing His Options

svensson is carefully evaluating his next coaching move following his disappointing tenure at Union Berlin,where he managed only 16 matches with an average of 1.13 points per game. This experience was a stark contrast to his successful period at Mainz, where he coached for nearly three years.

“Svensson will carefully consider another coaching step.”

During his time at Mainz, Svensson built a team that was a formidable opponent for any club. This is a quality that Cologne would undoubtedly value as they aim to re-establish themselves in the German top division. However, Svensson is also known for his passionate and sometimes impulsive coaching style, as evidenced by an incident in november 2021 when he received a yellow card during a match against Cologne.

Cologne’s Transfer Market Plans

Sources suggest that Svensson is open to the possibility of joining Cologne,even though it may not be his top priority. The former player for Copenhagen, borussie Mönchengladbach, and Mainz is reportedly considering the offer from the Rhineland-based team. Svensson is also said to have received an offer from the Premier League.

Cologne aims to announce their new coach within the next week, after wich they will focus on strengthening their squad with new signings. The club reportedly has at least 12 million euros available for transfers, with Ragnar Ach, 26, from Kaiserslautern, perhaps being their first acquisition. Cologne’s primary goal is to secure a agreeable position in the 1st Bundesliga after their return.