Finke leaves Cologne
Cologne director of sport Volker Finke has left the club by mutual consent due to "contrasting views" with Stale Solbakken.
Last Updated: 10/03/12 9:50pm
Cologne director of sport Volker Finke has left the club by mutual consent after an apparent inability to form a working relationship with manager Stale Solbakken.
The pair had endured a frosty relationship for several months and Finke was in February forced to play down reports he wanted to become Cologne's coach.
After Saturday's 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin, Cologne confirmed the inevitable on their website in a statement that said "contrasting views" had led to Finke's exit.
Cologne will release a full explanation on Sunday outlining the reasons behind the move and the action they will take to replace Finke.
The Cologne boss and Solbakken have hardly seen eye-to-eye since the director of sport bought North Korea international Jong Tae-se without consultation during the winter.
Solbakken admitted the pair only had a "professional" relationship, but tensions between them had led to a situation in which the only solution was for one to leave.
