Now it’s official what Cologne’s coach had already promised on BILD on TV in mid-May: Steffen Baumgart (50/previous contract until 2023) will stay – but only for 2024 for the time being!
Just in time for the start of training, the club and coach announced the contract extension on Monday morning. Sportboss Christian Keller (43): “We have a very good message to start with. Steffen has extended his contract. Everyone in charge is very happy regarding that. He was the key aspect why FC performed the way they did last season.”
Nevertheless, there was only a mini-Cologne contract from Keller. Baumgart signed until 2024. His basic salary (so far around 900,000 euros) is to be doubled following the super season and the Euro qualification. There are no exit clauses.
Baumgart: “I really like working here. That’s the most important thing – also that we have fun alongside the success. The project here is not finished yet. We still have goals. That’s why it quickly became clear and we didn’t talk at length, but quickly agreed.”
Why only the 2024 contract? Cologne extremely conservative and shy. Keller: “We deliberately extended the contract by a year and agreed that we would meet every year.”
Baumgart: “We often talk regarding long-term things in football. But that’s difficult and we all know what can happen here if things don’t go that way. That’s why we decided on the annual rhythm and will always sit down in the spring and think regarding how we want to continue.”
