Cologne chairman Dr Werner Wolf has explained why the club's director of sport Volker Finke was relieved of his duties yesterday. Finke left the club "by mutual consent" after yesterday's 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin with Dr Wolf insisting the move was made in the club's best interests.
"It is all about football and it is all about the success of FC Cologne," he said in a statement. "Last night, we spoke with Volker Finke after our home game against Hertha Berlin and, afterwards, we announced that he and Cologne would be parting company by mutual consent.
"The reason for this is a difference in opinion in view of the laying of foundations for the footballing future of Cologne. I would like to express my thanks for Volker Finke's work over the past year. He made a valuable contribution to us avoiding relegation in the 2010/11 season and, during his time with Cologne, he has given the club new impulsion."
Finke arrived at Cologne last year and, shortly after taking over as the club's director of sport, he found himself on the bench as coach after Frank Schafer handed in his resignation. He took charge for the final three games of the season, winning all three to save the club from the drop before reverting to his role of director of sport in the summer and appointing Stale Solbakken as the club's new coach.
fifa.com