A farewell full of emotions! Ironically, Bernard Tekpetey (22) sadly hugged his recently fired coach in the cabin, according to BILD.

Although he didn't play much with Friedhelm Funkel (66).

A sincere gesture by the Ghanaian for sparkle. Tears flowed not only at the ex-coach yesterday at 9:15 a.m. when he informed the team about his expulsion. The past four years have brought coaches, players and the team together. That was felt and seen again yesterday. Over and over!

Sparkle: "It disappoints me. It was four great years here! They can't take the last eight days from me. They weren't that pleasant. But that's nothing after these four years! " Sparkle confesses with wet eyes: “I would have loved to continue and have little understanding of the exemption. But I will never forget what I have experienced here! ”

The coach, who only renewed his contract on December 23, 2019 to 2021, is stepping down as a coach forever:

"I always said that after Fortuna, my coaching was over. Now I'm not saying anything else. My coaching career is over! ”

After over 1200 assignments as a professional and trainer in the 1st and 2nd leagues! The record of six Bundesliga promotions crowns an incredible career. What happened now was not entirely surprising to Sparkle:

“But I am disappointed. And the team was completely surprised. I wish her and the new trainer all the best and keep my fingers crossed for them. ”

Funkel also has tears in his eyes: “It was so intense with us, no one can break this cohesion. But now they have to look ahead. And stay in the Bundesliga. ”

The ex-coach had hoped for more backing: “It was decided differently. Now a new phase of my life is beginning. ” Sparkle to his successor Uwe Rösler (51): “He finds an intact team. You just have to keep up. ” Sparkle goes along with it. When asked only about manager Lutz Pfannenstiel (46), he answered narrowly: "It worked well over long periods ..."

Pfannenstiel had said after the Bayer bankruptcy (0-3) Sunday: "The coaching question does not arise with us!" Sparkle: "I do not want to comment on that ..." The Bundesliga loses one of its most likeable characters. One of the last real guys. An old warhorse who can't be forbidden to mouth.