Frankfurt Galaxy made it official: Thomas Kösling will no longer be Head Coach of the team. Now, the “farewell” that isn't actually a farewell. Although he is stepping down as Head Coach, he will remain with the Galaxy. In the future, Kösling will take on the role of Sports Director. A look at the emotional reasons:

"It's hard for me to describe what it meant to me," Kösling begins his statement in a YouTube video posted by Frankfurt Galaxy. "It was a very special path that I was allowed to take here. I've always tried to do my best. I threw everything I had into it to bring values and a belief into this team," he continues.

One thing makes Kösling different from most head coaches in the ELF: he doesn't coach full-time. He is actually a police officer and that won't change. "I've always said that if my time as a full-time police officer somehow gets in the way of my success, then I'll worry about it," he explains. 

That time has now come. "It's not about me, it's about all the people who work here. It's about getting the maximum out of this place. We have decided together to professionalize. Which is also important to raise the players to another level." Change can always be an opportunity to develop further. "I'm 100 percent behind that," says Köstling.

New position - similar role

Galaxy can't look back on an easy season. The success-hungry franchise clearly missed the play-offs. It often failed due to a lack of consistency. Kösling also saw the disappointment. He has already set clear goals for the coming season: "We want to get back into the playoffs. Galaxy don't deserve a 4-8 season."

In his new role as sports director, familiar tasks await him. "A lot of what I've done in recent years, be it putting together the squad or planning the coaching staff," says Köstling. However, something is definitely changing: "I'll be able to do all that much more intensively now," he says happily. He continues: "I believe I can give the franchise more from the inside than just from the sidelines."

Thomas Kösling and the thankfulness

The decision-making process was extremely emotional for him. "It's a mixture of sadness, melancholy, pride and gratefulness," says Kösling. And he is grateful to many people. "I would like to thank all the helpers who have supported me so closely. Without them, none of this would be possible, not even in the future." He would also like to thank his coaching team: "It was always special that, as almost the only homegrown coaching team, we made it a bit difficult for the Americans and full-time coaches. And we did a really good job."

In his speech, it becomes clear that the balancing act between being a full-time police officer and doing a good job at Galaxy was not easy for him. “Thank you for doing everything in your power to keep this thing going. Because of my job as a police officer, I never have and never had the time to work full-time here. I needed every single one of you.”

His wife also played a special role: “You had my back. You never complained. You gave me support when it was hard. I couldn't have made this journey without you.” He is now looking forward to spending more time with his wife and young daughter.

Kösling appeals to the fans: "The journey is not over yet"

Of course, his players also played a special role for the coach. “Thanks to all the players. You can't describe the feeling of being a coach. What it means to lead and guide a team. To set a path and an identity. I will never forget these images in my head, no matter whether I win or lose,” he says with emotion.

The same applies to the fans, who he describes as the “engine of this franchise”. He enthuses: “The energy you have in the stands is our fuel. It's simply something special.” At the same time, he calls the fans to account: “I hope you continue to come in large numbers. Because the journey is not over yet. It's just a section that ends for me.”

Kösling shaped a football era in Frankfurt. Under him, Frankfurt, who were still called "Universe" before joining the ELF, celebrated a number of successes. Both in the German Bowl and in the European League of Football, where they became the first champions in history. "What we achieved in the ten years with Universe and as the Galaxy was simply one of the greatest experiences of my life," says the experienced coach with tears in his eyes.

Frankfurt Galaxy are facing an exciting offseason with many changes. And that under new but familiar management.

Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game here!