The former FC Koln manager has been handed over the responsibility at the RheinEnergieStadion after Stale Solbakken was granted a leave of absence.
FC Koln bosses have replaced Stale Solbakken with former manager Frank Schaefer for the remainder of this season. Solbakken was going through a difficult period and finally requested a leave of absence which was immediately granted
by the higher officials.
Solbakken took over the responsibilities last year in May after Schaefer resigned in April. Volker Finke was handed the managerial role on an interim basis before Solbakken arrived. However, the 44-year-old has been unable to justify
his appointment having lost 17 of the 30 games played so far in the competition.
Koln’s chairman of the club board, Werner Wolf, also confirmed of Solbakken’s departure from the RheinEnergieStadion. He admitted that the manager has not been able to live up to his high standards but wanted him to see out the
remaining campaign as the players were aware of his tactics and felt comfortable playing under him.
While talking to reporters at Schaefer’s reappointment, Wolf further added: "Avoiding relegation from the top flight in the final stages of the season is our top priority. Stale Solbakken's leave of absence after the Mainz game
is regrettable but inevitable at this time.”
The chairman mentioned that the club had no better option than reverting to the former manager who is well aware of the situation and has the ability to help Koln in avoiding relegation. He also showed gratitude to Schaefer for
accepting the role on such short notice and hopes that the 48-year-old will prove to be blessing in disguise for the club.
"For the sake of continuity, we have gone to our previous coach. Our team now needs a new impetus for the relegation battle. We thank Frank Schaefer for his willingness to take on this responsibility at such short notice," Wolf
concluded.
The Billy Goats are currently 16th in the league standings with 29 points and are sitting in the relegation zone alongside Hertha http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Berlin-c7536 and Kaiserslautern. They will next be in action against Borussia Monchengladbach
on Sunday, April 15, at the Borussia-Park.
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