Funkel holds high hopes for Hertha BSC and Düsseldorf in promotion charge

The veteran head coach spoke with Sport BILD regarding the upcoming 2.Bundesliga campaign and various clubs’ prospects.

Friedhelm Funkel has made it somewhat of a habit when it comes to achieving promotion from the 2.Bundesliga. 

Climbing back up to the topflight with Köln last season, a seventh promotion of his career, he shared his thoughts on the 2025-26 campaign.

Despite finishing third, fourth and fifth in 2024-25, Funkel senses Elversberg, Paderborn and Magdeburg stand “no chance”.

Funkel reinforces his stance with the fact “they lost their first-class coaches in Horst Steffen, Lukas Kwasniok, and Christian Titz”. 

However, the 71-year-old is tipping a Hertha BSC promotion push, hailing the capital club’s new coach Stefan Leitl as “a great person”. 

“They have experienced players like Toni Leistner, John Anthony Brooks and Fabian Reese has Bundesliga potential, but from what I see, he’s totally happy at Hertha BSC,” he said. 

Funkel is also keen on Fortuna Düsseldorf, stating “the signs are good and Daniel Thioune has never had almost the entire squad at his disposal so early”. 

As for Schalke, Funkel hopes for stability: “Schalke is a big surprise. It would be very important for Schalke to have a worry-free season,” he explained.