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Cologne head coach René Wagner finds himself under increasing pressure ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga Rhein derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 38-year-old has acknowledged growing criticism from supporters amid a disappointing start to the season, though his immediate future at the club reportedly remains secure.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Wagner addressed rumours surfacing over the international break in reputable German sporting publications such as Kicker and Sport Bild. The latter publication raised the possibility of former Elversberg and Werder Bremen coach Horst Steffen replacing Wagner after the 57-year-old was spotted attending a Köln U21 match. Steffen was dismissed by Bremen earlier this year.
Cologne have collected just four points from their opening four Bundesliga fixtures and supporters have voiced their displeasure during the club’s two home fixtures this season. Wagner has also managed just two victories in eleven league matches since replacing Lukas Kwasniok in March.
“What happens around us is something I naturally notice,” Wagner told reporters. “At the moment, it’s relatively difficult not to notice. If I allowed myself to be influenced by it, it wouldn’t make my job any easier. On the contrary, it would make things more difficult.”
René Wagner’s difficult start at Cologne raises familiar questions
When Get German Football News examined Köln’s prospects in our comprehensive preseason tactical preview, we expressly warned that Wagner’s appointment could come under scrutiny should results fail to materialise quickly.
The analysis nevertheless supported the decision to retain the relatively inexperienced coach. Wagner had introduced a coherent 4-2-3-1, helped revitalise several underperforming players and established a more measured approach than his predecessor.
The problem was always whether those encouraging tactical foundations would translate into Bundesliga points.
Indeed, the early returns have exposed several of the very weaknesses identified during preseason. Cologne have struggled to maintain their structure during difficult phases of matches, with defensive lapses and familiar problems defending set pieces repeatedly undermining otherwise encouraging performances.
Those deficiencies were evident in September’s 1-1 home draw against Werder Bremen, after which Linton Maina and Tom Krauß publicly questioned their team’s inability to maintain control.
Wagner subsequently lamented Cologne’s familiar set-piece weaknesses following a 2-1 defeat away at Hamburger SV. His team controlled large stretches of the contest, registering 68 percent possession and 18 shots, but again failed to turn promising football into three points.
Such problems have uncomfortable historical parallels. Cologne were famously unable to stabilise their set-piece defending under Kwasniok.
Will Cologne’s derby against Gladbach decide Wagner’s future?
The circumstances surrounding Sunday’s match are especially intriguing. Kwasniok was dismissed following the previous Bundesliga derby against Gladbach, with sporting director Thomas Kessler citing declining performances and an insufficient points return.
Wagner now approaches another meeting with the Foals facing comparable criticism. His task has been complicated further by injuries to forwards Ragnar Ache and Thijs Dallinga, while right-back Alessio Castro-Montes is also unavailable.
The double striker setback leaves Cologne without their two preferred centre-forward options and places additional pressure on young attackers Said El Mala and Mikey Moore.
Wagner insists that he continues to enjoy the backing of Cologne’s management.
“Ultimately, what counts is the communication I have internally with the people responsible here,” Wagner said. “There are no such voices there.”
