1. FC Köln thrills fans with UEFA Youth League record – Kessler becomes new Sporting Director

The U19 team of 1. FC Köln has reached a milestone in the UEFA Youth League: Over 41,000 tickets have already been sold for their Round of 16 clash against Inter Milan on February 4—a historic attendance record for the competition. This remarkable interest surpasses the previous best set by Trabzonspor, which drew 40,368 fans in a match also against Inter Milan. The young Köln players will experience a true "goosebump moment" in front of a phenomenal crowd, as confirmed by Fynn Schenten, a striker for the senior team.

1. FC Köln’s vice president Ulf Sobek expressed his enthusiasm: "This attendance record in the Youth League fills us with great joy and pride. It impressively demonstrates how passionately committed our fans are and the incredible support they provide to the club." The Köln U19 team qualified by winning the German U19 Championship and has since enjoyed success in the current season with victories over Racing Union Luxembourg and FC Midtjylland.

Beyond this sporting highlight, the Billy Goats (1. FC Köln’s nickname) have also made key personnel announcements: Thomas Kessler, previously the club’s Director of Sport, has been promoted to Sporting Director and signed a contract until 2028. The board also extended Philipp Türoff’s contract early until 2029, appointing him as Commercial Director and spokesperson for the executive board. Completing the leadership team is Philipp Liesenfeld, Director of Marketing & Sales (contract until 2028). The club is thus emphasizing stability and continuity.

Vice President Ulf Sobek praised Kessler: "Thomas Kessler embodies the values of 1. FC Köln every day—with strong identification, clear goals, and a firm commitment to combining athletic performance with the club’s values. His outstanding professional expertise and exceptional communication skills make him the ideal candidate for the role of Sporting Director." Kessler himself stated: "Being able to progress from a youth player to the responsibility of Sporting Director at this special club is a great privilege and an enormous obligation for me."

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga sphere, Ibrahima Konaté, a former RB Leipzig player and current Liverpool defender, has suffered a personal tragedy. He is mourning the loss of his father, Hamady. Konaté was consequently absent from Liverpool’s Champions League squad for their 3-0 away win against Olympique Marseille. Between 2017 and 2021, the Frenchman made a strong impression in the Bundesliga.

Additionally, Leon Klassen, a former TSV 1860 Munich player, is leaving the 2. Bundesliga on loan from SV Darmstadt 98 to Austrian club Grazer AK. After a promising start at 1860 and subsequent stints in Tirol, Russia, and Denmark, Klassen is now seeking more playing time. Darmstadt’s Sporting Director Paul Fernie emphasized: "For Leon, it’s important to get regular game time. We’ve therefore agreed that a loan move this winter would be positive for him."

In the financial rankings of European football clubs, the Bundesliga is also strongly represented. According to the Deloitte ‘Football Money League’ report, FC Bayern Munich ranked third in 2025 with revenues of €860.6 million, behind Real Madrid (€1.16 billion) and FC Barcelona (€974.8 million). Borussia Dortmund followed in 12th place with €531.3 million, while VfB Stuttgart secured 18th place with €296.3 million—a success bolstered by their DFB-Pokal win and Europa League qualification.

This financial strength underscores the Bundesliga’s competitiveness in Europe. Meanwhile, 1. FC Köln celebrates its young talents and record-breaking fan support, while the club’s leadership and personnel planning take fundamental steps toward stability. The Bundesliga remains a dynamic and emotional football hub—from rising talents to financial powerhouses.