1.FC Koln vice-president Toni Schumacher wants head coach Peter Stoger to become an Arsene Wenger like figure for the Bundesliga club, feeling Wenger enjoys huge popularity at Arsenal which he wants Stoger to replicate.
Stoger took charge of the side before the start of the 2013/14 season, and the club have made steady progress under the Austrian since achieving promotion to the Bundesliga in his first term; they are currently ninth in the league table, but are just five points adrift of the Champions League spots.
The former Austrian midfielder is known for his good work behind the scenes with young players and Koln have indicated that they want him to stay at the club for the long term.
His contract with Koln expires in 2017, but the club are keen to sign him up on a new deal and want him to become a Wenger like figure for the club.
Club vice-president Schumacher told German daily Bild: “It would be nice if our Austrian becomes a perennial favourite like Wenger is at Arsenal.”
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Stoger managed a number of clubs in Austria, before he moved to Germany with 1.FC Koln in 2013.
He is also a former Austrian national team player, with 65 international caps to his name.
Wenger has been at Arsenal for around two decades and has established himself as a legendary figure at the Emirates Stadium. Stoger will no doubt be happy if he can leave a similar legacy at Koln.
