Koln

Koln were relegated from the top-tier after spending the majority of last season in the bottom-three of the Bundesliga. A change of coach half-way through the campaign proved to be futile as the Billy Goats lacked the necessary quality to claw themselves out of trouble. The rebuild is underway for life in the second division with Timo Schultz’s short spell in charge now over. Austrian Gerhard Struber will take care of business for the new campaign after previously managing Salzburg, New York, and Barnsley, amongst others. Struber has good experience in developing youth players and this is key to his appointment. Koln are currently in the middle of a transfer ban until January 2025 so emphasis on talent through the ranks is important. Finkgrafe, Martel, Thielmann and Downs have already played their part in the top-tier so they could really come of age in the second. Despite the doom and gloom of recent times, Koln have managed to keep many of their first-team regulars from last season and this will hold them in good stead for the upcoming campaign. The loss of key defender Jeff Chabot was to be expected but there should be enough experience to cope at this level. The only other significant loss is Davie Selke, who has left to join Hamburger. The striker was top-scorer for the club last season, but with only 6 goals to his name, it’s clear where the problems were. Finding the net should be easier to come by in the second division but you feel it’s still an area of weakness.