Alarm triggered: Who will dare to handle FC Schalke 04 now?
Once again, FC Schalke 04 is in search of a new leader on the sidelines. After a disappointing loss against Darmstadt 98, Karel Geraerts' tenure comes to an end. The once-respected club from Gelsenkirchen is spiraling down the standings. Is there someone who can save them from this rut?
The question of finding a new coach is valid, considering Schalke's track record of frequent staff changes. With Geraerts, the club has now seen its 33rd head coach since the turn of the century, making it one of the most transient establishments in Bundesliga history. Despite the emphasis on sustainability within the club, their coaching decks have been a revolving door.
With Geraerts out, Schalke needs someone willing to take on the challenge of reviving this shaky giant and overseeing its gradual rise back to its former glory. Fans in Gelsenkirchen have been yearning for stability as the club has been on a trending downward slope for years. After six matchdays this season, the Royals are in a precarious position, teetering on the brink of relegation. Another relegation battle looms. After a promising summer, the start to the season has been underwhelming, both on and off the pitch.
Tactical infighting stalls progress
Geraerts' performances on the pitch have been met with mixed results. His wild and untamed defense has played its part in underwhelming team performances. Moreover, issues off the pitch have escalated, resulting in a power struggle between trainer Giuseppe Iachini and squad planner Ben Manga. The two have publicly disagreed, with Manga expressing displeasure with Geraerts' lineups, blaming the trainer for the team's poor start to the season.
Termination announcement dishes out harsh criticism, damaging the internal climate
Geraerts' departure was as predictable as a traffic jam on the Ruhr's infamous A40 motorway. Marc Wilmots, the team's beloved Eurofighter and sporting director, was booted off as well. Wilmots stood by Geraerts' side right up until the end. However, the club accused the Italian trainer of a negative development in overall tactics and football. Wilmots, a loyal servant of Schalke, was afforded merely polite words upon his departure.
It was widely acknowledged that Geraerts' performance was not up to the mark. The club's high expectations were not met, as a result, Wilmots received no leeway. The framework for his dismissal was damning, triggering concerns over the team's internal climate.
The team's fragility heightens the desperation for stability
It's a tall order to find someone who can quickly mend the fissures within this club in pain. The team seems highly unsettled, divided, and unsure of their approach. Iachini, previously recognized for his track record with Union Saint-Gilloise and star player Victor Boniface, has struggled to gain control. The team appears too brittle, too unstable. Iachini has also struggled to manage the power struggles off the pitch between unhappy players and contentious lineup discussions.
Lately, Iachini has had to listen to his captains, like Kenan Karaman, pleading for sensitivity to the situation due to his explosive lineup choices. Tension has been brewing within the squad, with dissatisfied players and intense discussions over lineups and tactics regularly erupting. This instability and conflict has undermined the club, with attempts to calm the situation invariably backfiring.
Can the squad planner turn things around?
Karaman has called for internal peace following the tumultuous defeat against Darmstadt. That wish may seem unattainable, given the club's precarious standing and the intense relegation battle that looms in the coming weeks. First up is a challenging duel against Preußen Münster on Saturday. A victory will be crucial in quelling some of the unrest, especially in front of the emotionally charged local fans. The following week, Hertha BSC comes to visit Gelsenkirchen, presenting another opportunity to regain lost ground.
With Geraerts and Wilmots gone, Ben Manga now assumes the responsibilities of squad planning, coaching, and restoring confidence within the club. This is a golden opportunity to prove his worth and bring a much-needed sense of stability to the squad. The yearning among the supporters and the club's hierarchy is for nothing less than triumph – and for that, a significant change in mindset is critical.
Until the mid-October international pause, interim U23 boss Jakob Fimpel will be in charge. Following that, a new figure must be identified and appointed. Long-term planer Ben Manga, who's been with the club since May and seemed to dislike Geraerts' actions, is now in the spotlight. With Wilmots' exit, Manga gains more influence over player selection. Despite lacking the funds for a high-profile manager like Thomas Tuchel or Joachim Löw, there might not be any interest from veteran coaching legends either. As per media speculation, Manga was considering a coaching switch during the summer and had two potential candidates in mind. Is one of them still in contention? Social media is buzzing with memes featuring Peter Neururer and Felix Magath. So who's taking over? Anyone home? HELLLOOO?
In light of the team's current struggles and the need for stability, there's speculation about Ben Manga taking a more active role in coaching duties. With Geraerts' departure, Manga now has significant influence over player selection, potentially leading to a change in the squad's dynamics.
The search for a new permanent coach continues, and Manga, who has been vocal about his disapproval of Geraerts' actions, could be a potential candidate. However, securing a high-profile manager like Thomas Tuchel or Joachim Löw might be difficult due to financial constraints and their interests in other clubs.
