5 squads that were overhauled this summer but have failed

#5 FC Köln

Peter Stöger is yet to win a game

Summer spend: €34m

It was supposed to be another momentous year for FC Köln, but after an incredible qualification for European football for the first time in 25 years the party has very much died out at the Rhein-Energie Stadion. The drama on the last day, when Köln secured their place, has continued but in a manner more playing up to a crisis.

70 days into the new season Köln find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga table, and have made the worst start to a Bundesliga season in the history of German top flight football. They haven’t won a single game in their first nine and have scored just three goals whole conceding 17.

A Europa League campaign that was supposed to be a celebration has turned into a burden too, and despite a memorable night at the Emirates they have lost three straight games.

So where did it all go wrong?

Injuries have indeed taken their toll on a small squad, but after receiving a club record €35m for Antony Modeste in the summer the cash hasn’t been reinvested wisely. In fact, such has been the disaster that Sporting Director, Jörg Schmadtke, decided to step down.

Jhon Cordoba was brought in to replace Modeste’s 25 goals, but the former Mainz striker only managed five last season. The Colombian striker hasn’t been the only issue, however, as Jannes Horn has failed to make an impact along with Jorge Mere and Joao Queiros - although the latter was not expected to be thrust into the first team immediately.

When January comes around it’s time for Köln to go back into the market and a striker will be top priority.