A series of 15 consecutive games without a win is no accident. A series of 15 games without a win has reasons that have nothing to do with external circumstances. A series of 15 games without a win must have consequences. Markus Gisdol has to get the problems at 1. FC Köln under control – immediately. If he doesn’t succeed, someone else has to try. But how much longer does Gisdol have time?
A comment by Marc L. Merten
Markus Gisdol has been the coach of 1. FC Köln for almost a year. Whether he will live to see his one-year anniversary, however, may already depend on the next two games. Should FC also not win against FC Bayern (as difficult as that is) and at SV Werder Bremen, it would be a surprise for the 51-year-old to remain after the international break that followed. Because then Gisdol would not have won no less than 17 games and thus an entire Bundesliga half-series. Can a coach really allow himself such a long dry spell?
Sports director Horst Heldt asked before the Stuttgart game: “What in God’s name has the last season to do with this?” With that, the sports director surprised many observers at Geißbockheim. Because Heldt should actually know very well that ten games not won at the end of a season represent a huge mortgage for the next season. In addition, last season was a good enough reason for Heldt and his co-managing director Alexander Wehrle to give the coach a new contract this summer. So if positive developments in the past season are sufficient reasons for decisions beyond one season, negative developments must be included to the same extent.
Some statistics give hope – other statistics show failure
With the contract extension, Heldt and Wehrle wanted to send out a sign of trust and departure and establish Gisdol as a strong coach. In fact, Gisdol and his players have turned the corner in terms of running and fighting compared to the end of the season. That is an important glimmer of hope. The players have by no means stopped working under Gisdol, but are willing to invest everything physically. But the deficiencies, especially on the defensive, are obvious and can also be proven by statistics: Since the Bundesliga restart in May, FC have conceded the second most goals, got the second most shots on goal, produced the second most individual mistakes before conceding and stayed one of two teams never without conceding a goal in this time.
Gisdol is not a stunt
And then there is another factor: Gisdol is not a Stöger. When Peter Stöger had to leave after 14 games without a win – never before had an FC coach been allowed to remain in office for so long without a win – the players still loved him and literally cried for him. The situation is different at Gisdol. The FC coach is respected, but not by all players for a long time. Some feel left out, others don’t feel that merit still counts. Gisdol holds on to some players almost stubbornly, but leaves others behind. His announced upheaval in the hierarchy did not materialize and if poor performance last December had consequences for the players, this is currently not the case.
Of course, Gisdol had to complete the preparation with considerable restrictions. And in fact, despite all the critics (including us), he made the team fit again. But now Gisdol has to find his line again, in the personnel decisions as well as in the tactical guidelines. For months, at least internally, the FC coach has not been measured by the results he delivers with his team. An extraordinary situation that he had achieved with great success in winter and spring. But that has to end immediately. Because one thing is clear: FC needs results, needs success before it’s too late. In 2017 Peter Stöger was dismissed too late due to the great successes of previous years (after three points from 14 match days). In 2019 they pulled the ripcord just in time for the overwhelmed Achim Beierlorzer (after seven points from eleven match days). In 2020, Markus Gisdol also came under pressure early on. Horst Heldt wants to give him the time to turn things around. But time is a luxury good in the relegation battle. And the FC cannot afford luxury.
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