Köln’s current four year stay in the Bundesliga came to an end as they were relegated in last place with the lowest points total in the league since 2013.
There were few signs of the impending disaster that was to unfold on the banks of the Rhine this season as Peter Stöger’s side prepared to take on the Europa League as well as their domestic competitions.
But quickly the season disintegrated, and the team would not pick up a win until Stöger was sacked shortly before Christmas. By then the damage had been done and Stefan Ruthenbeck was not able to save his team from relegation.
Köln were fired to fifth in the league last season thanks to goals from French striker Anthony Modeste who scored 25 of their 51 goals. After he left at the end of last season, Köln struggled badly, and the team only managed 5 goals in the opening 10 rounds of the season.
But a first league win against Wolfsburg in the final round before Christmas proved to be somewhat of a turning point. After the turn of the year, wins against Gladbach and HSV suggested the team really had turned the corner. The most notable result of the season followed soon after as they beat last season’s runners up, Leipzig.
Indeed Köln’s results in the second half of the season were better than two other relegation rivals, so Ruthenbeck may have saved the team with more time.
In a campaign as disappointing as this, few players came out with much credit. No player scored more than 5 goals and there was no player who kept consistency over long periods of time.
Winger Leonardo Bittencourt did do well once he was fully fit after Christmas. He has already secured a move to fellow Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. Simon Terodde also showed some promise after he was signed in January, scoring 5 goals.
The big question for Köln heading into next season will be who sticks around to help them fight back to the top division. If they can keep a solid core squad, they have a chance, especially with former Holstein Kiel manager Markus Anfang at the helm.
