Lukas Kwasniok will take over as 1. FC Köln Head Coach for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The 43-year-old coach was successful over his past four years at SC Paderborn 07 and has signed a deal with FC until 30thJune 2028. Both clubs have agreed to not disclose the details of the move.
FC Managing Director, Thomas Kessler said: “We are very pleased that we were able to bring in Lukas Kwasniok to be the new Head Coach at 1. FC Köln. Over several years in Paderborn, he has impressively shown that he can develop a team, play attractive and successful football and promote young players to a higher level. His way of playing, his energy and his desire fit well to what we want to see for FC in the Bundesliga. In the detailed and intense discussions with Lukas, he confirmed our impressions that with his personality, conviction and approach his suit 1. FC Köln and Köln in general. We are convinced that we have found the right coach to continue FC’s development in the Bundesliga and stabilise us in the long-term.”
Lukas Kwasniok is looking forward to the task ahead: “I had thoughts of taking a break but as Thomas Kessler called, those thoughts disappeared. If I get the chance to work in Köln, then I absolutely want to do just that. It is an amazing club and a huge chance. It will be an incredible feeling to be on the sideline in the Bundesliga with FC. We want to create a real frenzy around the club.”
Born in Poland, Kwasniok went through the youth academy at Karlsruher SC before a knee injury cut a potential playing career short. Not to be deterred, he continued to work his way through at KSC as a coach. After a stint at FC Carl Zeiss Jena, he joined 1. FC Saarbrücken in January 2020 and led them to a DFB-Pokal semi-final as well as promotion to the 2. Liga. From 2021 until the end of the past season, Kwasniok has headed up SC Paderborn and helped establish them as one of the best teams in the 2. Bundesliga.
Lukas Kwasniok is currently on holiday, and he will be officially presented as head coach at the end of June in a press conference. The exact date and time are yet to be confirmed.