“My goal is to inherit Yann Sommer”.
Philipp Köhn has had a meteoric rise. A few months ago he was still playing in the Challenge League, now the RB Salzburg goalkeeper is even on the list of top European clubs.
Red Bull Salzburg added to their impressive collection of titles at the weekend and are champions in Austria for the 13th time since 2007. Now with 45 in the championship round, the series champion from the city of Mozart can no longer catch up with points.
Two Swiss also have an important part in the title. Noah Okafor is Salzburg’s second-best goalscorer in the championship with nine goals, although the 22-year-old from Basel was often injured. With his goal in the 1-0 home win in the last decisive group game against Sevilla, Okafor also leveled the advance in the knockout phase of the premier class (round of 16 elimination against Bayern).
At the back, Philipp Köhn mostly kept his mouth shut. In the 28 (of 32) rounds of the Austrian Bundesliga played so far, he has 16 goals, an average of 0.57 goals per game. The cup final against Ried is also scheduled for Sunday. “We deserved the double,” sums up Köhn in an interview with blue Sport.
Man Utd are said to be targeting Köhn
The 24-year-old has half a climb behind him. A year ago he played in the Challenge League. After the end of his loan in Wil, Köhn prevailed at RB Salzburg last summer. As a reward, the keeper was called up for the Swiss national team for the first time in November. “It’s very gratifying,” says Köhn looking back on the last few months. It’s also nice, the years of hard work have paid off. “I hope the path continues upwards.”
His strong performances have also put him on the radar at other clubs. Manchester United should also show interest. “It’s extremely nice to hear that people are floating around in the wide world of football – my performances must have been right,” says Köhn. In the end, however, there were only rumors that his focus was on his current club: “I see my next steps here in Salzburg, I feel comfortable here and only extended my contract last summer (editor’s note: until 2025) ».
If his development continues so rapidly, Köhn – the son of a Lausanne native and a German could still theoretically play for both nations – is also a candidate for number 1 in the national team, even if there is strong competition with Gregor Kobel or Jonas Omlin. “My goal is to inherit Yann Sommer,” says Köhn.