2011–12 1. FC Köln season

The 2011–12 1. FC Köln season began on 31 July 2011 against Wiedenbrück 2000 in a DFB-Pokal 1st round match. They club played its home matches at the RheinEnergieStadion.

1. FC Köln
2011–12 season
ManagerStåle Solbakken
StadiumRheinEnergieStadion
Bundesliga17th (relegated)
DFB-Pokal2nd Round
Top goalscorerLeague: Lukas Podolski (14)
All: Lukas Podolski (14)
Highest home attendance50,000 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
Lowest home attendance43,200 vs. 1. FC Nürnberg

For the season, the club hired Ståle Solbakken as its new head coach. The board of directors announced their resignation at the annual general meeting. Speculation concerning Lukas Podolski's future at 1. FC Köln has been written about a lot during the season. 1. FC Köln were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal in the 2nd Round. The club was in tenth place halfway through the season. The club went to Portimão, Portugal, during the winter break. Unfortunately, the team had an alarming slump in form in the second half of the season, coinciding with news that their star player Lukas Podolski had signed for Arsenal on 30 April and would join the team on 1 July. They were officially relegated from the Bundesliga after their 4–1 home loss to second-placed Bayern Munich on 5 May on the final day of the 2011–12 Bundesliga season.

Review and events

Off-season

Prior to the last match of last season, 1. FC Köln hired Ståle Solbakken as their new head coach.[1][2] He previously coached Copenhagen.[1] Also on the last matchday of last season, Petit tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a match against Schalke 04 and has yet to debut this season.[2][3]

Pre-season

Arsenal defeated 1. FC Köln 2–1.[4] On 25 July, Solbakken named Pedro Geromel captain.[5] Lukas Podolski was Geromel's predecessor.[5]

Season

On 31 July, 1. FC Köln opened up their season with a 3–0 DFB-Pokal win against Wiedenbrück 2000.[6]

1. FC Köln were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal in the 2nd Round.[7]

On 13 November, Wolfgang Overath along with deputies Friedrich Neukirch and Jürgen Glowacz resigned from the board of directors.[8][9] Overath stated how there was a "strain in recent months" for all of them and "frustration, inner conflict, and wear and tear".[8] Overath also stated how the board was "not always a team" and how he "was reviled and insulted in a way, as I have never experienced before.".[8][9]

On 19 November, the match against Mainz 05 was canceled after the referee for the match, Babak Rafati, attempted suicide.[10][11] The match was eventually rescheduled for 13 December.[12]

1. FC Köln stated that they would allow Sebastian Freis and Kevin Pezzoni to leave on free transfers.[13]

For the winter break, 1. FC Köln returned to practice on 2 January 2012 at 11:00 CET (UTC+01) and had a training camp in Portimão, Portugal, from 5 to 12 January.[14]

On 4 March 2012, a group 1. FC Köln supporters attacked a bus with Borussia Mönchengladbach supporters in it.[15]

On 10 March 2012, 1. FC Köln announced, that in mutual agreement, Volker Finke will be released from his position as Sporting Director.[16]

On 12 April 2012, 1. FC Köln dismissed Ståle Solbakken as head coach of the club and replaced him with Frank Schaefer.[17][18] The club was in 16th place at the time of the firing.[17] The club originally announced that he was "on leave".[18] However, Solbakken confirmed that he was fired.[18]

1. FC Köln finished in 17th place and were relegated on the final day of the season.[19] Hertha BSC would have been automatically been relegated if they had lost or drew against 1899 Hoffenheim.[19]

Lukas Podolski

Lukas Podolski's future at 1. FC Köln has been speculated much during the first half of the season by the media. Turkish media announced how Podolski and Galatasaray S.K. had already agreed.[20] These rumours were proved false when Podolski was still at 1. FC Köln when the transfer deadline passed. In August, Sports Director Volker Finke stated how the club absolutely must keep Podolski at all cost.[20]

Arsenal, Lokomotiv Moscow, Galatasaray S.K., Lazio and Schalke 04 are all known to be interested in Podolski and have been tracking him during the first half of season.[21][22] However, it would be difficult for Schalke 04 to sign Podolski. Podolski stated that "a change in the Bundesliga is for me very difficult to imagine".[23] Arsène Wenger has denied that he wants to purchase Podolski during the winter transfer period.[24] Die Welt has reported that Wenger has no interest in Podolski at all.[25]

Finke stated on 11 December that, "Podolski would not be part of the squad for 2012–13, if he did not sign an extension," while Podolski responded by stating, "he would be willing to play for the amateurs or sit in the stands while his current deal expired".[21] 1. FC Köln is about €25 million in debt and Finke doesn't believe that 1. FC Köln can afford a free transfer.[21][26] Deutsche Welle stated that the "more logical decision" would be to sell Podolski during the winter transfer period because he is not cup-tied to any club in UEFA's European competitions and how their position to sell would be weaken if they wait for next summer.[21]

Jürgen Klopp came out and criticized Podolski.[27] Klopp stated how Podolski only plays well every other week and is too expensive because of this.[27] Podolski stated how he turned down Klopp twice and how Borussia Dortmund could not afford him because it does have any more UEFA Champions League revenue for the season.[27]

Arsenal F.C. defender Per Mertesacker stated how Podolski, along with former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, would be "perfect acquisitions".[28] On 7 March, Mertesacker stated that Podolski has asked about "a potential move to the Emirates".[29][30] Oliver Bierhoff stated that Podolski would be making a "great move" if he left 1. FC Köln for Arsenal F.C.[31]

There were reports that claimed 1. FC Köln sold Podolski to Arsenal F.C. for €13 million with Bayern Munich getting 10% of the amount over €10 million.[32] However, Podolski himself denied that any deal has been finalized with Arsenal F.C.[33] Reports doubted that the move will even happen after Podolski claimed that he could be tempted by Lazio.[34]

Podolski finally decided to sign for Arsenal on 30 April.[35][36]

Matches

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Bundesliga
6 August 2011 11. FC Köln0–3VfL WolfsburgCologne
15:30 CEST (UTC+02) Novaković  14'  79' Match Report Hasebe  13'
Helmes  17', 90+3'
Ochs  18'
Russ  79'
Schäfer  83',  85'
Mandžukić  90+4'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 47,000
Referee: Manuel Gräfe
Man of the Match: Mario Mandžukić
13 August 2011 2Schalke 045–11. FC KölnGelsenkirchen
15:30 CEST (UTC+02) Huntelaar  42' (pen.), 47', 85'
Holtby  48'
Raúl  59'		 Match Report Podolski  12'
Lanig  19'
McKenna  42'
Roshi  80'		 Stadium: Veltins-Arena
Attendance: 61,673
Referee: Guido Winkmann
Man of the Match: Huntelaar
20 August 2011 31. FC Köln1–11. FC KaiserslauternCologne
18:30 CEST (UTC+02) Jajalo  19'
Lanig  34'
Brečko  53'
Andrezinho  87'		 Match Report Amedick  2'
Iličević  17'
Kirch  25'
Dick  79'
Jessen  81'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 47,200
Referee: Knut Kircher
Man of the Match: Kevin Trapp
27 August 2011 4Hamburger SV3–41. FC KölnHamburg
15:30 CEST (UTC+02) Petrić  11' (pen.)
Rajković  59'
Son  62'
Aogo  66'		 Match Report Chihi  21'
Brečko  24'
Novaković  49',  66'
Clemens  84'
McKenna  88'
Riether  88'		 Stadium: Imtech Arena
Attendance: 51,289
Referee: Florian Meyer
Man of the Match: Adil Chihi
11 September 2011 51. FC Köln1–21. FC NürnbergCologne
15:30 CEST (UTC+02) Chihi  39',  67'
Riether  56'
Brečko  75'
McKenna  90'		 Match Report Pekhart  19'  42'
Simons  31' (pen.), 35' (pen.)
Feulner  57'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 43,200
Referee: Michael Weiner
Man of the Match: Simons
17 September 2011 6Bayer Leverkusen1–41. FC KölnLeverkusen
15:30 CEST (UTC+02) Balitsch  27'
Rolfes  70'
Schürrle  90+1'		 Match Report Peszko  27'
Novaković  44'
Podolski  47', 54'
Clemens  79'
Rensing  82'
Riether  84'
Jajalo  90'		 Stadium: BayArena
Attendance: 30,210
Referee: Günter Perl
Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski
25 September 2011 71. FC Köln2–01899 HoffenheimCologne
15:30 CEST (UTC+02) Sereno  18'
Jajalo  20'
Podolski  64'		 Match Report Babel  14'
Compper  75'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 45,500
Referee: Peter Sippel
Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski
1 October 8Hertha BSC3–01. FC KölnBerlin
18:30 CEST (UTC+02) Lasogga  14', 26',  77'
Raffael  34'
Franz  81'		 Match Report Peszko  61'
Lanig  71'		 Stadium: Olympiastadion
Attendance: 59,491
Referee: Florian Meyer
Man of the Match: Änis Ben-Hatira
16 October 2011 91. FC Köln2–0Hannover 96Cologne
17:30 CEST (UTC+02) Podolski  24', 86',  65'
Chihi  80'
Lanig  84'		 Match Report Rausch  33'
Schmiedebach  57'
Pogatetz  62'
Pinto  77'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 46,000
Referee: Jochen Drees
Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski
22 October 2011 10Borussia Dortmund5–01. FC KölnDortmund
15:30 CEST (UTC+02) Kehl  5',  66'
Kagawa  7'
Schmelzer  25'
Subotić  38'
Lewandowski  44', 50'		 Match Report Matuszczyk  6'
Sereno  47'		 Stadium: Signal Iduna Park
Attendance: 80,200
Referee: Felix Brych
Man of the Match: Mats Hummels
30 October 2011 111. FC Köln3–0FC AugsburgCologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Podolski  19', 24' (pen.)
Jajalo  45+2'
Peszko  56'		 Match Report Callsen-Bracker  40'
Bellinghausen  48'
Oehrl  75'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 48,000
Referee: Peter Gagelmann
Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski
5 November 2011 12Werder Bremen3–21. FC KölnBremen
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Papastathopoulos  20'
Fritz  45'
Bargfrede  47'
Pizzaro  49', 54' (pen.), 86'		 Match Report Clemens  3'
Riether  42'
Podolski  45'
Sereno  53'
Rensing  78'
Lanig  89'		 Stadium: Weserstadion
Attendance: 41,500
Referee: Michael Weiner
Man of the Match: Claudio Pizzaro
19 November 2011 131. FC KölnPostponedMainz 05Cologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Referee: Babak Rafati
25 November 2011 141. FC Köln0–3Borussia MönchengladbachCologne
20:30 CET (UTC+01) Peszko  43' Match Report Hanke  20', 47'
Arango  30'
Herrmann  68'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Manuel Gräfe
Man of the Match: Mike Hanke
3 December 2011 15VfB Stuttgart2–21. FC KölnStuttgart
18:30 CET (UTC+01) Gentner  29', 36'
Boulahrouz  45+1'
Okazaki  66'
Boka  83'		 Match Report Podolski  15' (pen.), 88'
Lanig  20'
Brečko  48'
Jemal  79'
Sereno  90'		 Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Arena
Attendance: 56,255
Referee: Felix Brych
Man of the Match: Christian Gentner
10 December 2011 161. FC Köln4–0SC FreiburgCologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Clemens  19', 66'
Sereno  39'
Podolski  60', 73'		 Match Report Bastians  38'
Schuster  54'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 44,500
Referee: Marco Fritz
Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski
13 December 2011 131. FC Köln1–1Mainz 05Cologne
20:30 CET (UTC+01) Jemal  29'
Podolski  85'
Brečko  88'		 Match Report Gavranović  16'
Svensson  24'
Allagui  48',  70'
Baumgartlinger  62'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 44,800
Referee: Felix Zwayer
16 December 2011 17Bayern Munich3–01. FC KölnMunich
20:30 CET (UTC+01) Ribéry  33'  33'
Gómez  48'
Alaba  63'
Kroos  88'		 Match Report Sereno  33'
Jajalo  65'
Peszko  66'
McKenna  85'		 Stadium: Allianz Arena
Attendance: 69,000
Referee: Guido Winkmann
Man of the Match: Toni Kroos
21 January 2012 18VfL Wolfsburg1–01. FC KölnWolfsburg
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Lopes  21'
Polter  78'		 Jajalo  65'
Eichner  81'		 Stadium: Volkswagen Arena
Attendance: 27,057
Referee: Tobias Welz
Man of the Match: Ashkan Dejagah
28 January 2012 191. FC Köln1–4Schalke 04Cologne
18:30 CET (UTC+01) Podolski  4'
Pedro Geromel  18'
Brečko  78'		 Uchida  35'
Matip  53'
Marica  60', 73'
Huntelaar  78'
Höger  82'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Jochen Drees
Man of the Match: Ciprian Marica
5 February 2012 201. FC Kaiserslautern0–11. FC KölnKaiserslautern
17:30 CET (UTC+01) Borysiuk  35'  40'
Rodnei  40'
Şahan  78'		 Roshi  72' Stadium: Fritz-Walter-Stadion
Attendance: 38,043
Referee: Wolfgang Stark
Man of the Match: Michael Rensing
12 February 2012 211. FC Köln0–1Hamburger SVCologne
17:30 CET (UTC+01) Lanig  43'
Jemal  48'
Pedro Geromel  64'		 Sala  60'
Guerrero  88'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 46,500
Referee: Florian Meyer
Man of the Match: Paolo Guerrero
18 February 2012 221. FC Nürnberg2–11. FC KölnNuremberg
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Esswein  28'
Hloušek  57'
Schäfer  67'
Simons  78'
Pekhart  85'		 Peszko  24'
Brečko  55'
Novaković  66'
Roshi  77'		 Stadium: Frankenstadion
Attendance: 38,101
Referee: Christian Dingert
Man of the Match: Alexander Esswein
25 February 2012 231. FC Köln0–2Bayer LeverkusenCologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Riether  22' Bender  16', 50' Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 46,500
Referee: Felix Brych
Man of the Match: Lars Bender
4 March 2012 241899 Hoffenheim1–11. FC KölnSinsheim
17:30 CET (UTC+01) Compper  33'
Vestergaard  67'
Beck  74'
Weis  79'		 Eichner  24'
Lanig  56'
Podolski  81'		 Stadium: Rhein-Neckar-Arena
Attendance: 29,250
Referee: Robert Hartmann
Man of the Match: Sebastian Rudy
10 March 2012 251. FC Köln1–0Hertha BSCCologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Peszko  17'
Clemens  36'
Jajalo  65'
Podolski  76'
Riether  90+5'		 Torun  11'
Lell  74'
Kobiashvili  75'  76'
Hubník  84'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 48,000
Referee: Guido Winkmann
Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski
18 March 2012 26Hannover 964–11. FC KölnHanover
17:30 CET (UTC+01) Stindl  19'
Schlaudraff  61' (pen.)
Diouf  67', 83'		 Summary Pezzoni  43'
Sereno  61'		 Stadium: AWD-Arena
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Wolfgang Stark
25 March 2012 271. FC Köln1–6Borussia DortmundCologne
17:30 CET (UTC+01) Novaković  13'
Podolski  51'		 Summary Piszczek  26'
Kagawa  47', 80'
Lewandowski  52'
Gündoğan  79'
Perišić  84'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Felix Zwayer
31 March 2012 28FC Augsburg2–11. FC KölnAugsburg
17:30 CET (UTC+01) Koo  19'
Sankoh  33'
Rafael  45' (pen.)		 Summary Geromel  26'
Lanig  29'
Podolski  42' (pen.)
Brečko  54'
Sereno  76'		 Stadium: SGL arena
Attendance: 30,660
Referee: Tobias Welz
7 April 2012 291. FC Köln1–1Werder BremenCologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Peszko  27'
Jemal  39'
Riether  58'
Jajalo  75'		 Summary Fritz  22'
Rosenberg  24'
Papastathopoulos  35'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Günter Perl
10 April 2012 30Mainz 054–01. FC KölnMainz
20:00 CET (UTC+01) Polanski  19' (pen.)
Zidan  31'
N. Müller  37'
Szalai  54',  54'
Choupo-Moting  82'		 Summary Stadium: Coface Arena
Attendance: 34,000
Referee: Felix Brych
15 April 2012 31Borussia Mönchengladbach3–01. FC KölnMönchengladbach
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Arango  19'
Jantschke  53'
Reus  55'
Dante  82'		 Summary Pedro Geromel  67'
Podolski  79'		 Stadium: Borussia-Park
Attendance: 52,990
Referee: Knut Kircher
21 April 2012 321. FC Köln1–1VfB StuttgartCologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Peszko  50' Summary Niedermeier  61'
Harnik  67'
Cacau  71'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Peter Sippel
28 April 2012 33SC Freiburg4–11. FC KölnFreiburg
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Mujdža  36'
Guédé  54'
Caligiuri  84'
Freis  90+1'		 Summary Podolski  47'
McKenna  76'		 Stadium: Mage Solar Stadion
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: Wolfgang Stark
5 May 2012 341. FC Köln1–4Bayern MunichCologne
15:30 CET (UTC+01) Peszko  59'
Novaković  63'		 Report Müller  34', 85'
Pedro Geromel  52' (o.g.)
Robben  54'
Schweinsteiger  71'		 Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Florian Meyer

DFB-Pokal
31 July 2011 1st RoundWiedenbrück 20000–31. FC KölnGütersloh
Match Report Novaković  22', 45'
Jajalo  78'		 Stadium: Heidewaldstadion
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Christian Dingert
25 October 2011 2nd Round1899 Hoffenheim2–11. FC KölnSinsheim
20:30 Obasi  40'
Musona  50'		 Match Report Jajalo  6' Stadium: Rhein-Neckar Arena
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Knut Kircher
Man of the Match: Musona

Squad information

Transfers

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