FC Koln manager Stale Solbakken awards captaincy armband to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pedro-Geromel-c29605- Bundesliga news
New FC Koln manager Stale Solbakken has stripped http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pedro-c29582 Geromel. The coach has stated that his decision is purely on sporting grounds and that he has no problems with Podolski. He admitted that the fans will be disappointed with the decision but they have to understand that it will definitely in the benefit of the team.
FC Koln had a mixed season last term as they finished in 10th place in the Bundesliga. The Billy Goats secured 44 points and won 13 of the 34 games played.
Solbakken admitted that stripping Podolski of the captaincy would provoke anger amongst the Koln faithful as he is the fan favourite and the star player. He stated that he would understand all the reactions and the disappointment after the decision.
“I can understand the reactions this decision will provoke and I can understand the disappointment of some fans,” he was quoted as saying in an interview.
However, the coach wants the supporters to understand that his decision is purely on sporting grounds as he wants the new captain to represent the culture and the playing style of the club.
“But I ask the fans to understand my decision is for the benefit of the whole team. Pedro Geromel will as captain exemplify the new culture of the team and embody our new overall sporting concept,” he continued.
The tactician admitted that Lukas Podolski is disappointed after hearing the news but added that the German international has stated that he will respect the club’s decision. He insisted that the club needs Podolski as he is a very important player and he can surely help the club achieve in the coming years.
“In my conversations with him, Lukas has expressed his disappointment but at the same time respected and understood the reasons for my decision,” the former FC Copenhagen coach concluded.
Stale Solbakken will manage his first Bundesliga match against Felix Magath’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/VfL-Wolfsburg-c40881 on Saturday, August 6, at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.
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