12 Questions with Thomas Kösling
Thomas Kösling is one of the defining football figures in Frankfurt. As player, coach, sports director and head coach of Frankfurt Galaxy, he has shaped almost two decades of football at the location. In the EFA Talk, he speaks about Galaxy Football, the 2021 title, his return to the sideline, the development of EFA and AFLE and the future of European football.
From Frankfurt Universe to Frankfurt Galaxy, from the 2021 ELF title to the new European football landscape: Thomas Kösling looks at his journey, the DNA of Galaxy, the importance of fans and the challenges for European football.
Thomas, looking back on your football journey: when did interest turn into real passion?
The passion caught me early because I quickly felt that special sense of community, which for me is the essence of American football. You can only achieve something in this sport together. I was lucky to meet many great people — coaches, teammates, players I coached, fans, helpers and staff. They all influenced and shaped me in some way. Through this sport I made very good friends. The special thing about such a journey is the people with whom you share intense and emotional times and create moments that stay with you forever. Every game makes you better. In every game situations can happen that you have never experienced before. That is what makes this sport so exciting. It is as complex as no other.
You have been closely connected to Frankfurt football and Galaxy for many years. What does this organization mean to you personally?
The journey and what has been achieved with different people mean a lot to me. For me it already started in 2007, when NFL Europe closed and fans of the former Frankfurt Galaxy founded Frankfurt Universe. The goal was to climb back from the bottom to the top of Europe. My good friend Martin Latka, World Bowl winner with Frankfurt Galaxy, told me about the project. I have always liked being part of a vision and a big goal, so I joined as a player to help build it. The fact that this journey led to the German Bowl with Frankfurt Universe and eventually back to the Galaxy name with the ELF championship makes it even more special. I have invested almost 20 years into football in Frankfurt. Galaxy has become a big part of my life. For me, Frankfurt Galaxy is team, family, mission and identity.
You led Galaxy to the first championship in ELF history in 2021. What remains from that title today?
The memories of a special journey with a team that, after painful losses, finally won a special title. There is nothing better in sports than achieving something together. That feeling stays forever.
Was it more the sporting success — or also the feeling of having built something new?
In that moment it was the sporting success, because we had worked toward it for so long. It is something to look back on with pride. The bigger picture — being part of a new vision — only becomes visible in the years after, when you see how it develops and what journey you have already been on.
After your time as head coach, you temporarily moved into the role of sports director. What did this change of perspective show you?
I am someone who reflects a lot. We were at a point where change was important. I was also very interested in what could be done differently, so stepping out of the hamster wheel was important for me personally. From the observer role I could calmly analyze my own time and see how other coaches work and how certain things affect the team. You can always learn something, usually from small details. Whether it changed me as a coach is hard to say. I am who I am. But it definitely gave me new energy to fill this position at 100 percent.
Now you are back on the sideline. Why was now the right time for your return as head coach?
Because it was the best option for us as a franchise. In the end it is always about one thing: what is best for the team? First of all, I am simply happy to be back as head coach. Even though the year away was necessary, I missed being directly with the team. The sporting challenge is to get back on the road to success. We have had two weaker years without playoffs in Frankfurt. That cannot be our standard. With this great franchise and these sensational fans, we have to play more successful football — and we, and especially I, will give everything for that.
What does “Galaxy Football” under Thomas Kösling mean exactly?
B.G.A. — Believe Grind Achieve. We believe in ourselves, our strength and our goals. We will work very hard and do everything to get better so that we can hopefully celebrate success together. This team should stand for good football. Fans in the stadium should see a team on the field that plays with heart and delivers hard, disciplined football.
The European football landscape is strongly in motion with EFA and AFLE. How difficult is it for a coach to build trust in such a phase?
We simply have to put a good product on the field that fans can still identify with in a new framework. Change was necessary for the development of European football. Is it good that there are currently two leagues? Certainly not. But it is part of the process. In Frankfurt we can rightly say that we put on one of the best events and gamedays in Europe. That will remain our standard. Fans around Frankfurt can be sure they will get familiar quality — together with the best league in Europe.
Many people hope for one strong European league again long term. What needs to happen so European football comes out of this phase stronger?
I think everyone involved knows that the future of European football lies in one common European top league. Time will show whether an agreement can be reached again. But I find it hard to imagine that, from a financial and sporting perspective, there will still be two different leagues in two or three years. We can already become stronger through the experiences of the last years. It is all part of a process.
Money is one of the big topics in European football: travel, imports, staff, infrastructure and marketing. Where is the line between ambitious growth and healthy business?
There are other people who can judge and explain this topic better. There always has to be a healthy balance between a good product and financial feasibility. If franchises are still posting six-figure losses in three years, the project will fail just as much as if we cannot put a top sporting product on the field that brings people into the stadiums.
What do you pay special attention to when building a roster?
It is a mix of everything. Without talent you do not win games, but without character and the right team feeling you do not win championships. Only when you bring these points together can you become a successful football team. You need talented players who, in terms of character, are mostly team players and understand that success in this complex sport only comes together. As a coach and as a franchise, you must create an identity and a culture in which players feel comfortable and are willing to give everything. This mix decides how successful you can become.
Finally: If you could give young players, coaches or fans in Europe one message, what would you tell them about the future of American football here?
There has never been a better time for European football than right now. For young talented players, the bridge to play in college or high school has been built. Coaches can improve and educate themselves worldwide with endless resources, and fans can watch football with the best European players locally. If we all keep going and everyone in their role tries to make football bigger and more known, this sport has every potential to become very big here in Europe. The dream of a European professional league is still a dream, but we have certainly come much closer in recent years than ever before. Believe Grind Achieve. Let’s see how far we can go.
Many thanks to Thomas Kösling for his detailed answers. The interview shows how much history, responsibility and passion are part of the Frankfurt football location — and why European football must continue to work on common structures, stability and quality.