FC Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart is one of the more demonstrative managers in the Bundesliga. Forced to watch Cologne’s big game against Freiburg from home while self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, Baumgart brought his antics from the sidelines to his own living room on Saturday. Fortunately, he had a very good doggo to keep him calm.
Cologne beat Freiburg 1-0 on Saturday to move up to sixth place, within one point of Freiburg for Europa League contention and two points back of fourth-place Union Berlin, currently clutching to the final Champions League berth.
Anthony Modeste scored the only goal in the 23rd minute of a tense match, in which Baumgart was screaming at his TV, his phone and the abyss. Thanks to his daughter posting video on TikTok, Baumgart’s antics were captured on video. More importantly, his dog’s stress mitigation techniques were caught on camera.
️@FCKoeln_EN manager Steffen Baumgart had to watch #KOESCF from home - but that didn't stop him kicking every #Bundesliga ball! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5heuy8M7P7
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) February 6, 2022
The big floofy pup, clearly worried about papa being a bit too anxious, puts big floofy paws on Baumgart’s shoulders in an effort to calm him down. It’s a good thing, too, because the rest of Baumgart’s family was just letting him do his thing, probably bugging the neighbors with his shouts.
What a very good boy (or girl?).
Baumgart should consider having the dog on the sidelines with him at all future matches, both for the sake of the Billy Goats and for his own health. And for all the fans who want to look at a cute pup when the action gets boring on the pitch.
