Friedhelm Funkel

{{Short description|German football player and manager (born 1953)}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Friedhelm Funkel

| image = Friedhelm-Funkel-2016-07.jpg

| caption = Funkel with Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2016

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|12|10|df=y}}

| birth_place = Neuss, West Germany

| height = 1.81 m

| currentclub =

| position = Midfielder

| youthyears1 = 1964–1972

| youthclubs1 = VfR Neuss

| years1 = 1972–1973

| clubs1 = VfR Neuss

| caps1 = 28

| goals1 = 15

| years2 = 1973–1980

| clubs2 = Bayer Uerdingen

| caps2 = 238

| goals2 = 91

| years3 = 1980–1983

| clubs3 = 1. FC Kaiserslautern

| caps3 = 66

| goals3 = 24

| years4 = 1983–1990

| clubs4 = Bayer Uerdingen

| caps4 = 189

| goals4 = 40

| totalcaps = 521

| totalgoals = 170

| nationalyears1 = 1981

| nationalteam1 = West Germany B

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| manageryears1 = 1989–1990

| managerclubs1 = VfR Neuss

| manageryears2 = 1991–1996

| managerclubs2 = Bayer Uerdingen

| manageryears3 = 1996–2000

| managerclubs3 = MSV Duisburg

| manageryears4 = 2000–2001

| managerclubs4 = Hansa Rostock

| manageryears5 = 2002–2003

| managerclubs5 = 1. FC Köln

| manageryears6 = 2004–2009

| managerclubs6 = Eintracht Frankfurt

| manageryears7 = 2009–2010

| managerclubs7 = Hertha BSC

| manageryears8 = 2010–2011

| managerclubs8 = VfL Bochum

| manageryears9 = 2011–2012

| managerclubs9 = Alemannia Aachen

| manageryears10 = 2013–2014

| managerclubs10 = 1860 Munich

| manageryears11 = 2016–2020

| managerclubs11 = Fortuna Düsseldorf

| manageryears12 = 2021

| managerclubs12 = 1. FC Köln

| manageryears13 = 2024

| managerclubs13 = 1. FC Kaiserslautern

| manageryears14 = 2025

| managerclubs14 = 1. FC Köln

}}

Friedhelm Funkel (born 10 December 1953) is a German football manager and former player. He was most recently the head coach Bundesliga club of 1. FC Köln.{{https://fc.de/en/news/all-news/freidhelm-funkel-will-not-stay-on-as-head-coach

Coaching career

=MSV Duisburg=

Funkel was manager of MSV Duisburg between 13 May 1996 and 24 March 2000.{{cite web |title=MSV Duisburg |url=https://www.kicker.de/msv-duisburg/team-trainer/2-bundesliga/2018-19 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de}} During his tenure, Funkel guided the club through one of its more stable periods in the Bundesliga era. In his first full season in charge, he achieved promotion to the Bundesliga by finishing second in the 1995–96 2. Bundesliga campaign.

One of the highlights of his spell at Duisburg came in the 1997–98 Bundesliga season, when the team finished in 9th place, their best league position in decades. That same season, Funkel led Duisburg to the final of the DFB-Pokal, where they were narrowly defeated 2–1 by Bayern Munich. His tactical discipline and focus on team cohesion were widely credited for the club's success during this period.

Funkel's tenure came to an end in March 2000, following a string of disappointing results. He finished with an overall record of 56 wins, 47 draws, and 59 losses. Despite the mixed results toward the end, Funkel's time at Duisburg is often remembered as one of the more competitive and consistent phases in the club's modern history.

=F.C. Hansa Rostock=

He was manager of Hansa Rostock from 19 September 2000 to 1 December 2001.{{cite web |title=Hansa Rostock |url=https://www.kicker.de/hansa-rostock/team-trainer/3-liga/2018-19 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de}} He finished with a record of 13 wins, 10 draws, and 22 losses.

=1. FC Köln=

He was manager of 1. FC Köln from 14 February 2002 to 30 October 2003.{{cite web|title=1. FC Köln|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-koeln/team-trainer/bundesliga/2014-15|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 February 2015|language=de}} He finished with a record of 29 wins, 15 draws, and 19 losses.

=Eintracht Frankfurt=

Funkel coached Eintracht Frankfurt from 2004 to 2009.{{cite web|title=Eintracht Frankfurt|url=https://www.kicker.de/eintracht-frankfurt/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de}} He was subsequently released from his contract on 1 July 2009. He led the club into the Bundesliga in his first season in charge. One year later, he and the team avoided relegation and surprisingly reached the DFB-Pokal final, which eventually sent them to the UEFA Cup.

Tied with Erich Ribbeck, Funkel holds the record for the longest tenure at Eintracht, with five full seasons. He finished with a record of 70 wins, 50 draws, and 74 losses.

=Hertha BSC=

On 3 October 2009, Hertha BSC introduced Funkel as their new head coach after having fired Lucien Favre.{{cite news|title=Funkel: "Hertha ist ein Top-Verein"|url=https://www.kicker.de/funkel_hertha-ist-ein-top-verein-515396/artikel|access-date=16 January 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=3 October 2009|language=de}} After Hertha was relegated, Funkel and the club mutually agreed to not extend his contract.{{cite news|title=Hertha gibt Trennung von Funkel bekannt|url=https://www.kicker.de/hertha-gibt-trennung-von-funkel-bekannt-524895/artikel|access-date=16 January 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=11 May 2010|language=de}} He finished with a record of seven wins, 10 draws, and 16 losses.{{cite web|title=Hertha BSC|url=https://www.kicker.de/hertha-bsc/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de}}

=VfL Bochum=

On 22 May 2010, he was named new coach of VfL Bochum.{{cite web |title=Experte Funkel soll's richten |url=https://www.kicker.de/experte-funkel-solls-richten-525449/artikel |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de |date=22 May 2010}} His first match was a 3–0 loss to Kickers Offenbach in the first round of the German Cup.{{cite web |title=VfL Bochum |url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-bochum/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2010-11 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de}} He got sacked on 14 September 2011.{{cite web |title=VfL beurlaubt Trainer Funkel |url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-beurlaubt-trainer-funkel-557884/artikel |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de |date=14 September 2011}} His final match was a 2–1 loss to Dynamo Dresden.{{cite web |title=VfL Bochum |url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-bochum/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2011-12 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de}} He finished with a record of 21 wins, eight draws, and 16 losses.{{cite web |title=VfL Bochum |url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-bochum/team-trainer/2-bundesliga/2018-19 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de}}

=Alemannia Aachen=

On 20 September 2011, Funkel took over the job as manager of Alemannia Aachen.{{cite web|title=Alemannia Aachen|url=https://www.kicker.de/alemannia-aachen/team-trainer/bundesliga/2006-07|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=26 February 2015|language=de}} Funkel was dismissed of his job on 1 April 2012, after a streak of five consecutive losses.{{cite web |title=Alemannia Aachen |url=https://www.kicker.de/alemannia-aachen/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2011-12 |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de}} He finished with a record of three wins, eight draws, and nine losses in 20 matches.

=TSV 1860 Munich=

On 7 September 2013, he was named new coach of 1860 Munich.{{cite news|title=Perfekt: Funkel ist neuer Löwen-Dompteur|url=https://www.kicker.de/perfekt_funkel-ist-neuer-loewen-dompteur-591820/artikel|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=7 September 2013|language=de}} His first match in–charge was a 0–0 draw against VfR Aalen on 13 September 2013.{{cite news|title=Adlung kann die Nullnummer entscheiden|url=https://www.kicker.de/aalen-gegen-muenchen-2013-bundesliga-1894625/analyse|access-date=7 April 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=13 September 2013|language=de}} On 2 April 2014, 1860 Munich announced that Funkel is going to leave the club after the season because of "different conceptual views on the orientation in sport."{{cite news|title=Trainer Funkel verlässt die Löwen zum Saisonende|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/tsv-muenchen-trainer-funkel-verlaesst-die-loewen-zum-saisonende-1.1928194|access-date=2 April 2014|newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=2 April 2014|language=de}} However, 1860 München sacked Funkel on 6 April 2014{{cite news|title=Funkel ab sofort kein 1860-Trainer mehr|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/2-bundesliga/article126637355/Funkel-ab-sofort-kein-1860-Trainer-mehr.html|access-date=7 April 2014|newspaper=Die Welt|date=6 April 2014|language=de}} after losing to Karlsruher SC 3–0{{cite news|last=Schneider|first=Philipp|title=Ende der Jagdsaison|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/trainerentlassung-beim-tsv-muenchen-ende-der-jagdsaison-1.1931178|access-date=7 April 2014|newspaper=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=7 April 2014|language=de}} at home earlier in the day.{{cite news|title=Hennings erst cool, dann knallhart|url=https://www.kicker.de/muenchen-gegen-karlsruhe-2014-bundesliga-1894822/analyse|access-date=7 April 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=6 April 2014|language=de}} He finished with a record of seven wins, eight draws, and nine losses in 24 matches.{{cite web|title=1860 München|url=https://www.kicker.de/1860-muenchen/team-trainer/bundesliga/2002-03|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=28 February 2015|language=de}}

=Fortuna Düsseldorf=

Funkel was appointed as the new head coach of Fortuna Düsseldorf on 14 March 2016.{{cite web |title=Fortuna Düsseldorf |url=https://www.kicker.de/fortuna-duesseldorf/team-trainer |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=de}} He was sacked on 29 January 2020 after six losses in his last eight matches.{{cite web |title=Fortuna Düsseldorf entlässt Trainer Funkel |url=https://www.kicker.de/nach_entlassung_in_duesseldorf_funkel_verkuendet_karriereende-768256/artikel |website=Kicker |publisher=kicker |access-date=29 January 2020 |language=de}}

=Return to 1. FC Köln=

Funkel was reappointed as the new head coach of 1. FC Köln on 11 April 2021 for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |title=1. FC Köln trennt sich von Gisdol – Funkel übernimmt |url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-koeln-trennt-sich-von-gisdol-funkel-uebernimmt-801979/artikel |website=Kicker |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=11 April 2021 |language=German |date=11 April 2021}}

=1. FC Kaiserslautern=

On 14 February 2024, he was signed by 1. FC Kaiserslautern.{{cite web |last1=Kreilinger |first1=Moritz |title=unkels Devise: "Ärmel umkrempeln und den Platz umpflügen" |url=https://www.kicker.de/funkels-devise-aermel-umkrempeln-und-den-platz-umpfluegen-996345/artikel |website=Kicker |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=16 February 2024 |language=German |date=14 February 2024}} His first match took place on 18 February 2024 against 1. FC Nürnberg which ended 1-1.{{cite web |title=1. FC Kaiserslautern — Termine |url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-kaiserslautern/spielplan/2-bundesliga/2023-24 |website=Kicker |publisher=Olympia Verlag |access-date=16 February 2024 |language=German}} One game before the season ended, the club announced that his contract will end on 30 June 2024.{{cite news |url=https://fck.de/de/fck-und-friedhelm-funkel-beenden-zusammenarbeit-zum-saisonende/ |title=FCK UND FRIEDHELM FUNKEL BEENDEN ZUSAMMENARBEIT ZUM SAISONENDE |language=German |publisher=fck.de |date=17 May 2024 |accessdate=17 May 2024}}

=Second return to 1. FC Köln=

In May 2025, he returned to Köln for a second time.{{cite news |url=https://fc.de/en/news/all-news/friedhelm-funkel-takes-over-as-head-coach|title=Friedhelm Funkel takes over as Head Coach|publisher=1. FC Köln|date=5 May 2025|accessdate=5 May 2025}}

Personal life

Funkel has two children. He is the older brother of Wolfgang Funkel.

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club	rowspan="2"\|Season	colspan="3"\|League	colspan="2"\|DFB-Pokal	colspan="2"\|Europe	colspan="2"\|Total	rowspan="2"\|{{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference}}
class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
VfR Neuss	1972–73	Verbandsliga Niederrhein	28	15	rowspan="2" colspan="2"\|—	rowspan="8" colspan="2"\|—	28	15
rowspan="8"\|Bayer Uerdingen	1973–74	Regionalliga West	21	6	21	6
1974–75	2. Bundesliga	38	13	2	0	40	13	{{cite web \|title=Friedhelm Funkel " Club matches \|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/friedhelm-funkel/2/ \|publisher=World Football \|access-date=18 July 2018}}
1975–76	Bundesliga	31	5	0	0	31	5
1976–77	rowspan="3"\|2. Bundesliga	38	17	6	1	44	18
1977–78	38	25	2	0	40	25
1978–79	38	11	5	5	43	16
1979–80	Bundesliga	34	14	3	2	37	14
colspan="2"\|Totals	238	91	18	8	colspan="2"\|—	256	99	—
rowspan="4"\|1. FC Kaiserslautern	1980–81	rowspan="3"\|Bundesliga	31	13	7	3	4Appearances in the UEFA Cup.	2	42	18
\|1981–82	24	10	1	0	10	5	35	15
1982–83	11	1	1	0	1	0	13	1
colspan="2"\|Totals	66	24	9	3	15	7	90	34	—
rowspan="8"\|Bayer Uerdingen	1983–84	rowspan="7"\|Bundesliga	33	15	5	0	rowspan="2" colspan="2"\|—	38	15
1984–85	31	11	4	1	35	12
1985–86	30	2	1	0	8Appearances in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.	3	39	5
1986–87	29	8	3	0	5	1	37	9
1987–88	27	2	4	0	rowspan="3" colspan="2"\|—	31	2
1988–89	30	2	2	0	32	2
1989–90	9	0	0	0	9	0
colspan="2"\|Totals	189	40	19	1	13	4	221	45	—
colspan="3"\|Career totals	521	170	46	12	28	11	595	193	—

=Managerial=

rowspan="2"\|Team	rowspan="2"\|From	rowspan="2"\|To	colspan="6"\|Record
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
{{Tooltip\|G\|Games managed}}	{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}}	{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}}	{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}}	{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}	{{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference}}
Bayer Uerdingen	3 June 1991	13 May 1996 {{WDL\|196\|64\|55\|77}} \|
MSV Duisburg	13 May 1996	19 March 2000 {{WDL\|162\|56\|47\|59}} \|
Hansa Rostock	19 September 2000	1 December 2001 {{WDL\|45\|13\|10\|22}} \|
1. FC Köln	14 February 2002	30 October 2003 {{WDL\|63\|29\|15\|19}} \|
Eintracht Frankfurt	1 July 2004	30 June 2009 {{WDL\|194\|70\|50\|74}} \|
Hertha BSC	3 October 2009	30 June 2010 {{WDL\|33\|7\|10\|16}} \|
VfL Bochum	22 May 2010	14 September 2011 {{WDL\|45\|21\|8\|16}} \|
Alemannia Aachen	19 September 2011	1 April 2012 {{WDL\|20\|3\|8\|9}} \|
1860 Munich	7 September 2013	6 April 2014 {{WDL\|24\|7\|8\|9}} \|
Fortuna Düsseldorf	14 March 2016	29 January 2020 {{WDL\|138\|55\|28\|55}} \|
1. FC Köln	11 April 2021	30 June 2021 {{WDL\|8\|4\|1\|3}} \|
1. FC Kaiserslautern	14 February 2024	30 June 2024 {{WDL\|15\|6\|3\|6}} \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-kaiserslautern/team-trainer\|title=1. FC Kaiserslautern - Trainer\|website=kicker\|access-date=13 May 2025\|language=de}}
1. FC Köln	5 May 2025	present {{WDL\|2\|2\|0\|0}} \|
colspan="3"\| Total {{WDLtot\|945\|337\|243\|365}} !—