Royal Blues with patience at the end
Schalke 04 fires coach Thomas Reis after a false start
September 27, 2023, 8:40 a.m
Bundesliga relegated FC Schalke 04 is parting ways with coach Thomas Reis after a poor start to the second division season. The 49-year-old is relieved of his duties due to “lack of prospects for success”. The previous assistant coach Matthias Kreutzer will take over for the time being.
The tablecloth was cut and the coach could no longer be held. After just seven match days in the 2023/2024 season, FC Schalke 04 parted ways with Thomas Reis. The 49-year-old was no longer expected to do great things at Schalke. “Royal Blue is drawing conclusions from the negative development of the past few weeks: After the recent overall disappointing performances and lack of prospects for success, the sporting management has decided to release head coach Thomas Reis and assistant coach Markus Gellhaus with immediate effect,” it said in one detailed statement from the former Bundesliga club. The current assistant coach Matthias Kreutzer will take over responsibility until further notice.
FC Schalke 04 has been in trouble in recent weeks mostly due to poor sporting performances and numerous turbulences off the pitch. With just two wins from seven games, the giant from the Ruhr area is currently in relegation place 16 in the second division. At the weekend the Royal Blues lost 3-1 at FC St. Pauli. After a controversial interview after the game, Schalke suspended defense chief Timo Baumgartl the next day. The former Union Berlin player criticized the coach’s tactics in little detail.
Reis only stayed at Schalke for a year
“After morale’s victory against Magdeburg, our expectation was that we would see further progress at St. Pauli. Instead, we had to accept a significant step backwards,” said sports director Peter Knäbel: “We have used the last few days for intensive consultations and are closed “We came to the conclusion that we had to take this step now in the interest of the club. Our goal is to break the overall negative trend since the start of the season.”
Reis took over as coach at the then Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04 at the end of October 2022 after Frank Kramer was fired. Despite a formidable second half of the season, he narrowly failed to keep the traditional club in the league. In the summer, the Royal Blues lost numerous key players such as defender Moritz Jenz and winger Marius Bülter. These were not adequately replaced. Nevertheless, the Königsblauen went into their second second division season in just three years with the goal of getting promoted again.
“Our common goal is to go into the international break with a positive feeling. Matthias Kreutzer enjoys our full trust and we will support him with all our resources. At the same time, we are working on a successor solution,” explained sports director André Hechelmann before the upcoming games in Paderborn and against Hertha BSC.