Leverkusen defies many outsiders and wins the DFB Cup last 1-0. At 70, the outgoing coach of Kaiserslautern feels he’s nonetheless younger sufficient to search out one other place.
Granit Xhaka received the match for Leverkusen together with his objective to make it 1-0.
Friedhelm Funkel didn’t see an important second after the so-called final sport as a coach of knowledgeable crew: after his crew misplaced the DFB Cup last 0-1 towards Bayer Leverkusen, the 70-year-old acquired an enormous applause. From the supporters of his Kaiserslautern crew, but in addition the opponent, Leverkusen, who has now received twice.
When Funkel discovered about it late at evening in a press convention, he mentioned: “Unfortunately I did not hear, however I’m very completely happy about it.” I did not count on that. This is amazingly stunning. That makes my pleasure for this sport even higher.”
The final phrase has not been spoken
Could a coach who has given stable service to German soccer for many years want to do higher on the large stage than being celebrated by 75,000 spectators in a cup last? Friedhelm Funkel, 1st coach. FC Kaiserslautern, he’s definitely not an emotional individual. But he seemed to be too affected – even because the Leverkusen facet, crushed by a pink card, prevented essentially the most devoted foreigner from profitable with a surprising long-range shot from Granit Xhaka.
So now they’ve seen him retire. But even when there was discuss of the tip of the good work for a very long time, the final phrase has not been spoken. In many circumstances, Funkel’s withdrawal proved to be a brief measure, his retirement solely momentary. And not like some earlier engagements, Funkel even spoke overtly about the truth that a mission or two would possibly tempt him once more.
The veteran’s distinctive abilities are in excessive demand, his dedication is sort of a assure of staying within the league: he took over Kaiserslautern in February, and along with staying within the second division, he additionally entered the cup last. Funkel himself doesn’t need to management something: “I might have an interest.”
Funkel is not any unusual coach, however he has lengthy been an icon. He symbolizes the touring drugs that’s all the time trusted. Cologne, Düsseldorf, and now Kaiserslautern: The humble nature of the Rhinelander creates belief, which is important to launch the reserves that finally contribute to success.
Funkel’s companies are wanted
The Cologne crew, who have been relegated from the Bundesliga, would have favored to make use of his companies once more if Funkel had not been employed at Kaiserslautern. There he was credited not solely with saving the relegation battle, but in addition within the cup last, the largest break the Palatinate crew has confronted in many years.
What additionally contributes to the recognition of this soccer trainer who seems to be depressed however is all the time pleasant is that he by no means speaks badly of his rivals. Funkel gave the coach of the final opponent, Xabi Alonso, quite a lot of credit score, and that’s saying one thing for somebody like him, who has competed with everybody in German soccer for the previous few many years: “I’ve by no means seen a teammate like him. he by no means confronted it. The means he treats everyone seems to be completely different and the way in which you solely hear good issues about him. This is loopy.”