As expected, FC Schalke 04 is parting ways with coach Frank Kramer after a significant cup defeat at TSG Hoffenheim. Kramer only took over the promoted team in the summer, but was also unable to convince in the Bundesliga.
Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04 has parted ways with coach Frank Kramer. This was announced by the promoted team after the 5-1 defeat in the second round of the DFB Cup against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the morning. Kramer only took over the team in the summer. "After the promotion, we all committed ourselves to one goal: staying up in the Bundesliga. Until the very end, we were convinced that we could turn the tide in the existing constellation. From our point of view, the time has now come to make personnel changes have to do," says sporting director Rouven Schröder. "In the last five league games before an extraordinarily long World Cup break, we have to score points in order to then prepare as well as possible for the second half of the season, which will be groundbreaking for our club."
At the weekend, after a 3-0 loss in the Bundesliga duel with TSG Hoffenheim, Kramer's replacement was discussed intensively. In a first reaction after the game, Schröder did not want to give "any guarantees". "We will do our analysis. And we will act out of conviction," Schröder continued.
Somewhat surprising was the result of the weekend's analysis, which initially wanted to continue with the hapless Kramer. Three days and a clear bankruptcy later, a different conclusion has now been reached. With six points from ten games, Schalke 04 is 17th in the table, two points ahead of VfL Bochum and two points behind Hertha BSC in the top non-relegation zone. Kramer himself commented on the game in Hoffenheim as "undisputedly the worst performance of the season, it doesn't get any worse than that."
Peter Knäbel, member of the board, finds clear words about the sporting situation in a statement from the club: "The way we performed, especially in the away games in Leverkusen and Hoffenheim, was not worthy of FC Schalke 04. Our analysis also works That's why it goes beyond the individual head coach. We will have to improve significantly in all areas in order to be able to achieve our main goal - staying up in the league."
With Thomas Reis, who was recently dismissed from VfL Bochum, there is already a trainer on hold who had probably already been traded as a hot candidate for Kramer's job. Club legend Mike Büskens secured the climb as interim coach in a brilliant final sprint. However, after the successful completion of its mission, the former "Eurofighter" resigned to the second rank as agreed.
