Top News

11 September 2026

Former Cologne head coach Lukas Kwasniok has launched legal proceedings against his former club over a disputed contract clause related to his salary after he was dismissed in March.

Kwasniok is still under contract with Cologne until 2028 even though he was removed from his coaching role on 22 March. Reports from Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Kicker and Transfermarkt said the disagreement concerns a provision that cut the 45-year-old’s pay after the end of the 2025/26 season.

Kwasniok is reported to have continued receiving his full salary of around €1m per year, along with bonuses, until the close of last season. Under the clause now being challenged, those payments were then reduced by 50 percent. The coach and his representatives reportedly regard that reduction as invalid and are pushing for his full salary to continue being paid.

Cologne, however, insist they have acted in line with the agreement in place.

An initial conciliation hearing in August did not lead to a settlement. As a result, a chamber hearing has been fixed for 16 February 2027, though an out-of-court resolution is still possible before that date. The dispute has emerged roughly six months after Cologne brought Kwasniok’s spell at the club to an end following a sustained decline in results.

One day before his dismissal, GGFN reported that Kwasniok was publicly fighting to keep his job after a 3-3 Rheinderby draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. That point did little to ease the pressure caused by a seven-match winless streak.

“I will fight for this goddamned job,” Kwasniok said in what turned out to be his final post-match press conference as Cologne head coach.

Less than 24 hours later, Cologne officially removed Kwasniok from his position and appointed assistant coach René Wagner on an interim basis.

Managing director Thomas Kessler referred to a “clear downward trend” and an inadequate points return when confirming the decision.

The legal case marks a bitter ending to a relationship that had begun with significant optimism just over a year earlier. GGFN had reported on Kwasniok’s appointment in June 2025, when Kessler praised the coach for his ability to develop teams, produce attractive football and improve younger players.

The partnership at first delivered promising results. However, difficulties increased as the season went on, with Cologne entering 2026 in the midst of a long winless run and supporters beginning to openly question the coach.

By January, GGFN had reported the first major calls for Kwasniok to be sacked after travelling fans displayed a “Kwasni-Yok” banner during a draw at Heidenheim. Kwasniok came through that period and briefly stabilised the situation, but another prolonged slump ultimately proved decisive.

Kwasniok has still not taken charge of another club. Earlier this year, the former Cologne coach was linked with the Karlsruher SC job and is reported to have held talks with club officials, but no deal was reached. If Kwasniok takes up another role elsewhere, that could naturally have an impact on the case.

Another former assistant under Kwasniok, Hannes Dold, is also involved in separate labour-court proceedings against Cologne. The precise details of Dold’s case have not been made public.