After twelve years, the Jonas Hector era at 1. FC Köln could finish at the end of the current season.
As reported by “Bild”, the 32-year-old former international should take the final decision on his future only in a few months. Internally, however, the captain and top performer have already made it known that they are dealing with a farewell.
According to the tabloid, it’s clear: a change of club is out of the question for Hector. This means: either the apparently introverted professional extends his expiring contract with the 1. FC Köln, or announces the end of his career after more than 300 competitive games for the Domstadt club.
Over a decade at 1. FC Cologne
“That decision won’t be made until the end of the season. It’s not just pointing the gun at Jonas’ chest. He doesn’t work like that. He does a lot of things with his stomach and doesn’t let that. I think Jonas will think it over carefully and wait until the last day until he decides,” FC coach Steffen Baumgart told ‘Bild’. The hit coach announced that he would “do anything” to make sure Hector stayed.
Hector moved to Cologne from his hometown club SV Auersmacher in the Saarland in 2010. He has remained loyal to the FC ever since, although in the meantime he would receive offers from FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona.
No comeback at the World Cup in Qatar
Until his retirement in autumn 2020, the versatile left foot played 43 international matches under former national team coach Joachim Löw. His successor Hansi Flick wanted to reactivate Hector for the upcoming Winter World Cup in Qatar.
The man from Cologne, who twice had to make the bitter transition to the second division with his club, refused to make a comeback.
