Schalke 04 negotiated with "crazy" world coach
Second-division soccer club FC Schalke 04 was close to signing Marcelo Bielsa in the first half of last season. This was reported unanimously by "Kicker" and "Bild". According to the reports, Schalke sporting director Peter Knäbel was even in concrete negotiations with the experienced Argentinian, who was set to take over from Frank Kramer.
Kramer was dismissed in October 2022 after just ten league games. According to reports, the football-obsessed Bielsa, who is also known as "EL Loco" ("The Crazy One"), was actually interested in joining Schalke, to Schalke's surprise. Schalke's Knäbel is said to have met with Bielsa in person. According to "Kicker", he has already negotiated a salary with him. The Royal Blues would have had to invest "a few million".
Bielsa achieved international fame as national coach of Argentina and Chile, and later at Athletic Bilbao and Olympique Marseille. He gained cult status in England after leading Leeds United back into the Premier League after 16 years. At the time, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola praised him as the "best coach in the world". However, Bielsa was sacked in February 2022 after his team suffered four consecutive defeats, conceding 17 goals.
Big names again this time
Subsequently, however, Bielsa's commitment to FC Schalke also came to an end. The cash-strapped Royal Blues turned down the Argentine tactical wizard and opted for local great Thomas Reis, who had previously worked at VfL Bochum. Reis is also said to have paid part of the 300,000 euro transfer fee out of his own pocket.
However, Reis did not stay at Schalke for long. Despite a successful second half of the season under him, the Royal Blues were relegated and failed to start the season in the second division. At the end of September, after just under a year, they parted ways. And Bielsa was no longer available: He signed for the Uruguay national team last May. There, they are trying to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
According to "Kicker", the Royal Blues also had big names on their list when looking for a coach this time. The second division club is said to have made enquiries with Raul (currently coach at Real Madrid Castilla) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (most recently PSV Eindhoven). But once again, they decided against the top stars and brought in the Belgian Karel Geraerts.
Despite the interest in top coaches like Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy, FC Schalke 04's focus in their coach search shifted to Soccer Bundesliga. Transfers and rumors surrounding the club often include potential signings, and FC Schalke 04 actively pursued appointing Marcelo Bielsa as their coach during the first half of last season, despite his "crazy" reputation and history with Soccer Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04.
Source: www.ntv.de
